Friends of the Child Advocacy Center
Child Abuse Prevention in Frederick County, Maryland
Here in Frederick County, the number of abused children served at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has continued to trend up. Last year, 77% of the children referred to CAC were victims of sexual abuse. Several of the children had experienced more than one type of abuse. Two-thirds of the children served were females. The majority of the children seen were between the ages of 7 and 12. Child abuse is a community problem and it will take a united community response to end it. Zero tolerance is our goal.
We raise funds and donate thousands of hours annually to:
- increase awareness of child abuse and neglect in Frederick County and help to prevent it;
- support the CAC programs and the children and families it serves;
- make sure these young survivors have the opportunities and resources to heal and rebuild their lives.
Our organization helps by meeting needs that continue beyond the scope of the local government-specialized and therapeutic classes and services for the physical and emotional long-term well-being of the children. We assist with gift cards for food, gas, and clothing, when needed. We also step up to help fill any immediate needs or provide funding to supplement CAC services.
Join us in giving a voice to child abuse awareness and prevention through your participation and sponsorship.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to make communities more aware of child abuse and neglect so we can move to prevention. The color for the month is blue-the color of a child’s bruises-to remind us all that child abuse needs to stop!
Child abuse is entirely preventable but only when the community comes together and promotes zero tolerance.
Here in Frederick County, there are many opportunities for the community to promote and participate in Child Abuse Prevention activities that highlight awareness, prevention, and education.
You will see silver and blue pinwheels growing in gardens around the county. They are the symbols of a happy and safe childhood, what we want year-round for all of our children. They remind us of the important role each of us can play in the lives of our children and our community. Consider planting a Pinwheels for Prevention garden so you can share the message with your neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Common Market Co-Op for their donation from the Bring-a-Bag for change program. During the third quarter, they saved 48,887 bags from going into the waste stream . We are grateful for their generosity to the Friends of the CAC. Pictured below are Amanda Harmon from the Common Market and Janet Whitcomb, President of the Friends of the CAC.
THANK YOU TO THE IMPACT CLUB OF FREDERICK-THE GIVING GROUP!
The Friends of the CAC are honored to have been selected for the very generous donation that will support the needs of many children and families.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our anonymous donor whose generous gift will once again help care for the children of Frederick County. Your kindness is so appreciated!
A big Thank You to Home Depot for choosing the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County MD for their surprise donation. Pictured are people from Home Depot, the Friends of the CAC, and the CAC along with Heiress, the therapy dog accepting the donation!
Many, many thanks to Frederick Social for designating the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center as their charity during April Child Abuse Awareness month. Every month Frederick Social allocates a portion of the sales to a local charity. Here is Pat Bradshaw (in the middle) from the Friends accepting the check from the owners of Frederick Social, Audi and Mike.
Zero tolerance is our goal.
One in ten children will be the victim of sexual abuse. One in three boys and one in four girls will be the victim of physical abuse.
We are the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center, an all volunteer non-profit organization. Our members come from various backgrounds but share a common passion and focus. For more information about the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center, click here.
Each April, we sponsor National Child Abuse Prevention activities throughout Frederick County. Year-round we work to educate, inform and involve our community.
In lieu of a Christmas, Hanukkah, birthday or any other celebration, consider a donation to the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center in honor of, or in memory of, a special someone. We will send a card to the recipient letting them know that a donation was made in their name.
Go to our Donate page.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the participants of our 2023 Holiday Gift Program! With the help of the Friends of the CAC members, friends, and companies, we supported 26 families and the wish lists of over 60 children this year. You all did a really wonderful job! Your efforts made a big impact for a brighter holiday season for the children and families. Thank you for your big hearts!
Ausherman Family Foundation
Best Plumbing in Myersville
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Century Ford of Mount Airy
Thank you again to Century Ford of Mt. Airy. Their employees shopped for 8 children this year! Shown in the picture are the very generous employees of Century Ford and Marianne Trump, the Friends of the CAC’s Treasurer and holiday gift program coordinator! Century Ford of Mt. Airy THANK YOU!
Thank you to the staff of the State's Attorney's Office of Frederick County for their donations to a family of our Holiday Gift Program.
The State's Attorney's Office stated:
"Thank you Friends of the Child Advocacy Center for helping us adopt three children this Christmas! Our SAO staff and the Friends of the CAC staff collaborated to help the children, ages 14, 12, and 9, receive their wish lists."
Thank you Frederick Mustangs for your generous donation of toys each year and for bringing joy to the children of the CAC!
Thank you again to the Ausherman Family Foundation for their generous support of our clients.
Many thanks to Wegmans for supporting the Friends of the CAC with their most generous donation! We are so grateful for the support.
HEIRESS
For an introduction to the CAC's assistance dog, Heiress, please visit the link below. County Spotlight: Heiress Kristen Dunn, Heiress' handler, provides information of her and Heiress' roles at the CAC. Heiress is a very important member of the CAC team in supporting the children and families who experience abuse. You can also visit Heiress' Corner for more information on their activities. County Spotlight: Heiress
Thank you to everyone who voted for the SS Pinwheel in the Sailing Through the Winter Solstice this year.
In awe of the kindness and generosity of the Frederick community. Our SS Pinwheel boat is sponsored by Steve Lyons, Premier Choice Exteriors, LLC . It needed a home in the off-season so we went in search of a place to store it. Sarah and Craig Ludwig stepped up to the plate and offered us a place on their property. They are the owners of Sweetbay Landscaping, LLC and Sweetbay Farm Sniffspot. Please give them a shout out and if you are looking for community-minded, generous business owners look no further!
These are the Ludwigs. And they aren't just your everyday fans of the SS Pinwheel. They generously store our boat throughout the off-season in one of their barns! Thank you Sara Johnson Ludwig !
Through a proclamation signed by Mayor Larry Hushour and the Town Council, the Town of Mount Airy recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month during their April meeting. Mayor Hushour presented the proclamation to members of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County MD.
The pinwheel was adopted as the national symbol of child abuse prevention by Prevent Child Abuse America. It is a reflection of hope, health and safety. On Friday, CAC members placed blue pinwheels in the garden area right outside the Flat Iron Building.
WEAR BLUE DAY - APRIL 5, 2024
Demonstrate your support for a happy, healthy childhood for children by wearing blue to work, shop, school, play, or relax. Wear whatever works for you--blue hat, shirt, jeans, tie, or scarf to show you are part of the fight against child abuse. Take a selfie of yourself and your friends and post it to your Facebook page and tag us. Your photos will be posted on our social media.
FIRST SATURDAY IN THE PARK
Join us Saturday, April 6, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM in Downtown Frederick at the Healing Garden in Bonita Maas Park,
7 West 2nd Street. We will have face painting, glitter tattoos, corn hole, music, snacks and drinks.
First Saturday in the Healing Garden! Thanks to all the Friends volunteers, the CAC folks who came out and a shout out to Pat Bradshaw for organizing and to Arielle Bender, face painting extraordinaire! Also, thanks to Benny Greenberg from BKG Media and Promotions for supplying us with eclipse glasses! They were a hit!
More Information - Go to Events
SPONSORS OF THE MONTH
MARCH - Red Horse
APRIL - Dublin Roasters Coffee
APRIL - RAK Brewery, April 23
APRIL - All Saints Episcopal Church
DECEMBER - Bushwaller's
More information - Go to Sponsors of the Month
Many thanks to Thacher & Rye for hosting an amazing gala that supported the Friends of the Chid Advocacy Center and to all the generous people who came out to enjoy a wonderful meal. And thank you to the Ausherman Family Foundation for sponsoring a table.
Friends of the CAC and the CAC Staff enjoying the fundraising event on December 7, 2023.
National Night Out was fun, well attended and brought out a huge number of organizations that serve Frederick. We had lots of fun with the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, MD on August 1. There were lots of activities for the kids and adults, beautiful face paintings, a DJ with dancing, free hotdogs and snacks. This is such a fun way to meet the local police officers, EMS, and firemen! Special thanks to our Friends who volunteered and are pictured below--Janet, Judy, Dyann, Jody, Anne, Mary, Pat, Betsy, and Janis.
The Friends of the CAC volunteered at the Healthy Kids Day at the Urbana YMCA on May 6. The Friends of the CAC were a bronze level sponsor for this event. Thank you to all the Friends who volunteered.
Many, many thanks to the very talented and generous Lew Dronenburg for creating this spectacular window! And we wouldn't have a place to display this without the generosity and community-minded ACNB Bank who lends their window to charities throughout the year! The Friends of the Child Advocacy Center has this up for April so stop on by, 2 North Market Street.
EVENTS
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention month, Change the Conversation will be providing seven free trainings in April -- four of these trainings will be provided in partnership with the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office. To register for these free virtual trainings, please visit
https://changetheconversation.org/trainings/
