Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims
Oct. 8, 2024
What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.
Why did you launch the organization? The CAC is the only child advocacy center in Harris County and one of the largest nationwide. Sadly, before the implementation of advocacy centers, there was not a streamlined process for children. Victims of sexual abuse were often interviewed multiple times by various law enforcement, medical professionals, and mental health clinicians. Here at The CAC, we know that having to recount abuse several times can be retraumatizing, and we sought to find a solution to make a trauma-informed process.
The goal of The CAC is to provide all the services, partners, and resources families need in one place. We collaborate with hundreds of professionals from 60 Partner Agencies (e.g., law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, nonprofits, and governmental investigative entities) to coordinate investigations, provide services, and protect children. Our hope is that our process will give children the tools necessary to empower them on their healing journey.
How have you impacted the community? Our work is guided by the belief that all children in our community deserve to grow up safe, happy, and healthy. We work to empower children’s healing journeys, restore hope in families, and provide support to avoid long-term trauma. The CAC exists to help our community become a better, safer place for each child of Harris County.
Tell us about your big event. We will host our annual Spirit of Spring Gala to celebrate The Children’s Assessment Center Foundation’s 30th anniversary. We are thrilled to invite community members who have helped us make a lasting impact on child sexual abuse survivors, their families, and our community. We look forward to commemorating the 30th year on April 11, 2025, at The Houstonian Hotel.
How can I help? As adults, it is our responsibility to keep children safe. Your generosity can help empower families on their healing journey and protect vulnerable children. Please consider how you can be part of the solution to end child sexual abuse. Go to our website, cachouston.org, to learn how to donate, volunteer, and protect children in our community.
We exist to protect children, heal families, and prevent child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking in our community.
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Cowboy Cool: Crime Stoppers’ Texas-Themed Gala Raises $2 Mil for Safer Streets in Houston
Nov. 13, 2024
WITH A COWBOY theme and terrific country band — think big hats and big hearts, said organizers — the Crime Stoppers gala was a huge hit and moving evening.
“The lavish celebration united over 400 generous supporters, community advocates, elected officials, and law enforcement from across the state for a lively Texas-themed party which kicked off with an energetic happy hour, offering guests opportunities to support the night’s exciting silent auction and raffle,” noted a rep for the nonprofit of the elaborate celebration at The Revaire that raised more than $2 million.
The band Nobody’s Fool was terrific playing all the best country covers, and even providing a soundtrack for a rowdy silent auction that found auctioneer Johnny Bravo jumping on tables!
Chairs for the evening were Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey and Matt Mackey and jewelers Michelle and Jonathan Zadok. Stirring remarks were made by notables including Mayor John Whitmire, UH President Renu Khator, Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale and Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff, generous donors credited with helping set organization’s strategy and inspiring others to give. The steak dinner was provided by Ben Berg of B&B Butchers and other top restaurants.
VIP guests included a slew of dignitaries and officials such as U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, District Attorney Kim Ogg, County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, City Council Member Willie Davis, Police Chief Noe Diaz and Constable Alan Rosen. Private citizens from the society set were also on hand, including Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Susan Boggio, Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees and many members of the fame Zadok family of jewelers.
Fady Armanious, Brigitte Kalai AND Alicia Smit (photo by Priscilla Dickson)
Marge Lundquist, Tama Lundquist (photo by Priscilla Dickson)
Renu Khator (photo by Jacob Power)
John Eddie and Sheridan Williams (photo by Jacob Power)
Ben Berg and Morgan Skiba (photo by Priscilla Dickson)
Auctioneer Johnny Bravo (photo by Jacob Power)
Eric Elder (photo by Priscilla Dickson)
Seven Shamir Francis (photo by Jacob Power)
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SUPPORTERS OF THE Houston Arts Alliance pulled inspiration from global art, fashion and culture for a spectacular gala at the Hobby Center. “The World’s Stage” gala, chaired by Zsavon Butler and Nicholas Stuart, raised $325,000 to benefit the Houston Arts Alliance’s public-art and artist resiliency initiatives.
A meaningful moment was when former Houston Poet Laureate Outspoken Bean honored longtime chef and food-writer Adán Medrano with a spoken-word performance. Works by other beloved local artists, like Jamal Cyrus and Vincent Valdez, adorned the walls, and music was provided by Breanna Blankenship and DJ Flash Gordon Parks.
The 350 guests also enjoyed a runway show featuring fall looks by Chloe Dao, modeled by icons like Lauren Anderson, and a spread prepared by Jackson & Company along with H-E-B. A nod to the global theme, the menu included Korean-style short ribs and Greek kourabiedes — washed down with French and Italian wine, of course. Cheers!
Ross Smith, Leigh Smith, Caroline Smith, Alecia Harris, Whitmire Vo, Owen Duffy
Casey Valverde, Tammy Dowe, Marco Martinez
David James, Judge Lina Hidalgo, Honoree Adan Medrano & Richard Jimenez
Rita Garcia, Sergio Selvera
George Farah & Michele Leal Farah, Nicholas & Zsavon Butler, Lauren Anderson & Chris Stanaway, John Abodeely & Edward Kachinske
Chloe Dao with her models
Michele Leal Farah
Lisa and Saul Valentin
Leigh Smith, John Abodeely, Lauren Anderson
Aerialist from J&D Entertainment
Joel Rottier, Council Member Mario Castillo, Rep. Christina Morales, Michele Leal Farah
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