Part 1: The Walls 1992 was a year of proactive change for the city of Arlington, and very quickly for the greater Tarrant County community. Watching the advent of the children’s advocacy center (CAC) movement beginning across the country, a group of concerned Arlington citizens came together to lay the groundwork for the betterment of Arlington’s most vulnerable citizens—our children. With community members who were professionals in the medical field, at the district attorney’s office, Child Protective Services, law enforcement, and social workers, Alliance For Children was born and served our first child that August. Operating out of the Child Protective Services office in Arlington and then a small office at the Arlington Police Department, our founding Executive Director, Nancy Hagan, opened The Children’s Advocacy Network, later to be renamed Alliance For Children, even working through renovation of our first center. By working these child abuse cases in tandem with those original partners, the Arlington location served 500 children in our first year. As we grew, the services we offered have grown with us, including forensic interviewing, family advocacy, individual and group counseling, and events for the children and families we serve such as Christmas Connection, Back to School Connection, and Camp B.L.U.E. Recognizing that the need was great throughout the county, and to better serve protective families in their own neighborhoods, our footprint expanded to Fort Worth in 1995 on Southland Avenue, followed shortly by Hurst in 1999 Vital to the continued success of Alliance For Children is the backbone of our agency, our community partnerships. The role of each of these members is essential to the healing, protection, and justice for each child victim. Bringing these disciplines together at one table ensures that each child we serve is given hope. 31 jurisdictions of local law enforcement, the Tarrant County criminal district attorney’s office, and juvenile services seek justice, Child Protective Investigators ensure the family is safe and protected, and CARE team and SANE nurses from Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network, reassure the child understand that their body is safe and healthy. Each of these is essential to the investigation and eventual closure of these cases, allowing child abuse victims to return to the joy of childhood, filled with hope and happiness. Equally as important is our Board of Directors. Comprised of community leaders, volunteers, and representatives from our partner agencies, the Board of Directors guides the direction of our services, ensuring that the mission is always at the forefront of every decision we make. As every collaborative decision made affects the model as a whole, it is paramount that members of our partner agencies are active participants in the makeup of our Board. Each members’ gifts of their time, talent, and treasure are significant to the success of our mission and the healing of every child. Serving as our walls, without the support and collaborative efforts of our community partners and our Board of Directors, the house that is Alliance For Children would not stand. Their collective work builds off the foundation that is the children’s advocacy center model. Our efforts alone would not be enough—we are stronger together. Together, we are The House that Trust built. Sincerely, Julie Evans Chief Executive Officer AllianceForChildren.org Donate ‌ ‌ ‌ Alliance For Children | 3609 Marquita Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76116 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!