October News: CAC's Safe from the Start Helps Families in Crisis

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and while CAC's programs focus on young survivors of physical or sexual violence, our work also connects us with children who have been witnesses to violence in their family relationships. In particular, Safe from the Start (SFTS) is CAC's program that helps the littlest littles (ages 0-5) rebuild healthy family relationships.

CAC also works with a network of other social service agencies to provide referrals and wraparound support for families in crisis because of domestic violence (DV). To better understand the very complicated, confusing issue of DV, CAC's Bilingual Trauma Therapist Romelia Rodriguez recommends a TedTalk from DV survivor Leslie Morgan Steiner, author of Crazy Love. She has also compiled a list of domestic violence resources which can be shared by clicking the button below.

DV Resource List PDF

Watch TedTalk

September Outreach Events

CAC staff, plus two of our board members, were very busy in September, as we worked multiple events, talking about CAC's programs and services and our impact in the community. Events included:

District 59 Back to School Fair
Co-Lab at Bellworks Nonprofit Meet & Greet
CAC's Golf Outing (pictured are CAC Board Members Lisa McComb and Jamie Brown)
SBA Coffee and Contacts Nonprofit Expo
St. Hubert's DV Info Day

Welcome, Neisha McNeal

Neisha McNeal brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to her role as Grants Coordinator at the Children’s Advocacy Center. With a deep passion for CAC's mission, she is committed to securing the resources necessary to support the organization’s vital work. Neisha enjoys reading and experimenting with new baking recipes in her free time. Above all, she treasures the joy of motherhood to her two beautiful teens. Her dedication to helping children and families drives her work every day at the CAC.

Congratulations, Romelia Rodriguez

Lead Family Advocate Romelia Rodriguez is moving to the Mental Health Services team as a Bilingual Trauma Therapist. Rodriguez completed her Master of Social Work degree in December 2023 and has been seeing clients one day a week in Arlington Heights since January 2024.

On behalf of CAC's Board of Directors, staff and the Golf Outing Event Planning Committee, we'd like to thank all of our golfers, sponsors, donors and volunteers. With your support and engagement, we raised $40,000 to advance CAC's work and welcomed a record breaking 100 golfers! Proceeds from the outing help keep CAC's services free for young survivors of abuse or violence. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of these children and their non-offending family members.

October 10

Inspire Hope through CAC

Midwest Coast Brewing Co.

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Volume 46 | October 2024