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.
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 2022 Holiday Gift Program! With the help of the Friends of the CAC members, friends, and companies, we supported 36 families and the wish lists of 84 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!
The Ausherman Family Foundation provided support to 16 children's wish list gifts again this year. Shown above are Robin Grove and Jenna Moseman of the CAC surrounded by the work of the elves of the Ausherman Family Foundation. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Thank you again to Century Ford of Mt. Airy. Their employees shopped for12 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!
Employees from eight different locations of Starbucks coordinated their support again this year to the wish lists of 14 children. Shown above are the generous employees of Starbucks and Marianne Trump of the Friends of the CAC . Thank you, thank you, thank you for your giving spirit!
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!
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Ausherman Family Foundation for their generous support of our clients in need and experiencing hardship due to COVID-19.
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
EVENTS
SPONSORS OF THE MONTH
APRIL - Prospect Point Brewery
MAY - Relish Decor
JUNE - JoJo's Restaurant & Tap House
JULY - The Trail House
JULY - SEPTEMBER - The Common Market Co-op
AUGUST - Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes
SEPTEMBER - Firestone's Market on Market
More information - Go to Sponsors of the Month
School has started and September is right around the corner! Time to head to Firestone's Market on Market for a delicious turkey apple cheddar panini. They are generously donating 20% of their profits of this yummy sandwich in September. Thank you so much to Market on Market for supporting those children and their families in Frederick County who have been impacted by abuse.
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 22nd Annual FOP Fall Charity Golf Classic will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Musket Ridge Golf Club. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Friends of the Child Advocacy Center.
Boscov's Friends Helping Friends - October 18, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. 25% discount shopping passes with 100% of your donation to support the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center.
Thank you to The Common Market Co-op for selecting the Friends of the CAC to be one of their charitable recipients this quarter during July, August, and September. This program encourages shoppers to reuse bags and reduce waste by offering a $.05 charitable donation for each reusable bag used at checkout. This program is a win-win and it keeps single-use bags out of the waste stream and gives back to organizations in our community. So go to the Common Market and don't forget your bag!
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.
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.
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.
