What a difference a year makes. This time last year, all of Fort Bend County was in recovery mode post Harvey. Child Advocates of Fort Bend staff and volunteers were busy checking in with the children and families they serve. Now, one year later, the agency is gearing up for its 27th annual Christmas Home Tour on December 7 + 8 and looking toward the future. The committee is busy finalizing plans for this year’s Tour and will announce which neighborhoods are to be featured in the next few weeks.
“When our offices reopened last year after Harvey, we considered cancelling the tour,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford. “We realized, however, that the Tour was more important than ever.” Evacuation from home and relocation away from family and friends can disturb family and social networks. For child victims of abuse, some of whom had already been removed from their homes, an event like Harvey could make symptoms worse. For some, a natural disaster could spark depression, extreme stress, anxiety, PTSD and a host of other problems.
“The number of children and families served by our Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) increased 25% in 2017 alone and has increased 58% in the last five years,” stated Mefford. “As of August 31, we’ve conducted more forensic interviews for children who have made outcries of abuse than in all of 2017. –more-
As the demand for services grows, we struggle to have enough staff, resources and space to help all of the children who are victims of abuse, however, we are committed to doing everything in our power to never turn away a child who is in need of our services. By sponsoring or participating in the Home Tour, you can help us ensure that all child victims of abuse get the therapy and healing services they desperately need.” The Tour is one of the agency’s largest fundraisers. In fact, 94% of the money raised by the tour goes toward programs and services.
The Christmas Home Tour features beautiful private homes in Fort Bend County decorated for Christmas. One ticket allows entry to all homes during tour hours. Sponsorships, which are critical to the success of the Tour, are now available. Sponsorship Opportunities range from $100 to $15,000. To become a sponsor or to volunteer or for more information go to https://www.cafb.org/events/home-tour/ or contact Lisa Moore at 281-344-5108 or lmoore@cafb.org. Shown L to R are Home Tour committee members Colleen Fox, Alexis Jackson and Kelly Vaughan.
About Child Advocates of Fort Bend:
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is a non-profit agency dedicated to ending child abuse by providing a voice, healing the hurt, and breaking the cycle of child abuse in Fort Bend County. Through its Court Appointed Special Advocates Program (CASATM), Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and more than 200 trained community volunteer advocates, Child Advocates improves the lives of more than 400 children each month and has served more than 15,000 children since opening its doors in 1991.
For more information on how you can become a voice for children and get involved with Child Advocates of Fort Bend, contact Volunteer Services at 281-344-5172 or cdavis@cafb.org or log onto www.cafb.org.
Photo courtesy of Child Advocates of Fort Bend