“Twenty-seven years ago, a group of volunteers, many of whom are still involved, opened their homes, decorated them for Christmas, baked some cookies and charged admission in an effort to keep Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s (CAFB) doors open,” stated Lisa Moore, Child Advocates of Fort Bend Development Officer and event chair. Thanks to those generous ladies and many others who have participated through the years, this event not only kept the doors open, but it has allowed the agency to increase its programming and staff in order to meet the needs of the Fort Bend community. CAFB is excited to include five generous homeowners in Sienna Point, Sienna Plantation, Alkire Lake, Lakes of Williams Ranch and a historic home in Richmond who are planning to be on the Home Tour on December 7 and 8. “Homeowners are so special to us – we wouldn’t have a tour without them! The addition of two new neighborhoods (Sienna Point and Richmond) is what keeps the Home Tour fresh. Each year we are able to showcase an assortment of neighborhoods, displaying the variety of Fort Bend County.”
Photo courtesy of Child Advocates of Fort Bend
Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18 and it is estimated that only 1 in 10 ever tells anyone. “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. In addition, as of August 31, we’ve conducted more forensic interviews for children who have made outcries of abuse than in all of 2017,” stated CEO Ruthanne Mefford. “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 Home Tour is one of the Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s largest fundraisers. In fact, 94% of the money raised by the tour goes toward programs and services.
The Christmas Home Tour features private homes in Fort Bend County beautifully decorated for Christmas. One ticket allows entry to all homes during tour hours. The Tour runs Friday, December 7 from 10am until 4pm and 6pm until 9pm and Saturday, December 8 from 10am until 4pm. Sponsorships, which are critical to the success of the Home 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 Frankie Lara, Jen Rizzo and Theresa Schmerling.
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