Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County

Everything's here at the Center, especially when our friends, Sol & Spencer, from show up with the best treats and a new bandana for . He may be pawsitively bedevilled with meetings, etc., but there is ALWAYS time for treats. 🐾🦴

Did you know that the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County provides only evidence-based therapy (EBT) for child victims of abuse? This means that the therapeutic approaches we use are backed by rigorous scientific research, ensuring they are effective in helping children heal from trauma. This commitment to evidence-based care means that every child who walks through our doors receives support, tailored to their unique needs.

Visit our website at www.cac-kent.org to learn more or to support the work the Center provides.

We're honored to be the Community Cup Partner with Outside Coffee Co this July-September. This weekend, get your fix of the & support a local business and a local nonprofit. 💙

Congratulations to our President & CEO, Leah Ortiz, for being named to the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2025. We cannot wait to see what all these incredible leaders do together to support our community.

Congratulations, Leah!

We are excited to announce the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2025!

Forty-one community leaders will participate in the Leadership Grand Rapids program, or LGR, which is truly one-of-a-kind. Each year, a committed group of leaders participate in an intense 10-month professional leadership training focused on systems thinking to tackle real issues facing our local community.

The leaders who graduate from this program go on to help create a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for ALL!

See the full list: https://grandrapids.org/news/leadership-grand-rapids-class-of-2025

🥳 Please join us in celebrating our team's August Anniversaries!

👩‍🏫 Two years ago we brought on an almost entirely new team of Kids Have Rights Educators due to previous educators taking on new roles within the Center. These incredible women came in full of enthusiasm & dedication. Thank you, Lisa, Paula, and Sarah, for continuing to empower children throughout Kent County by teaching them how to keep their bodies safe, how to recognize their safe adults, and how to be the boss of their bodies!

💼 Celebrating her first year with us is our Business Manager, Daneil! Working tirelessly on so many things, Daneil puts in the work to make sure the organization runs as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your commitment to the Center, Daneil. You are such an important part of this work.

🎉 We also celebrate Detective Dan from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety! Stationed at the Center, we appreciate the work Dan does to ensure the safety of children in Wyoming. Thank you for your dedication!

Happy Anniversary, Lisa, Paula, Sarah, Daneil, & Dan We're so honored to work alongside you all. 🎂🎊

🎉🌞 This month, we're excited to celebrate a fantastic member of our team who brings so much joy, dedication, and energy to our workplace. Let's give a huge shout-out to our August birthday girl, Kelsey!

Kelsey, thank you for everything you do to support our MDT, the Center, and the children in our community. We hope you have a fantastic birthday month filled with joy, laughter, and celebration! 🎈✨

Join us in wishing Kelsey a very happy birthday in the comments below! 🥳🎉

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Center Board Member, Lance Werner, and the team at the Kent District Library for this extraordinary achievement! Proud of the incredible work you all do, day in and day out, to support the communities within our County. Job well done!

🏍️ It's always a very cool day when visitors from Bikers Against Child Abuse International (B.A.C.A./Biker's Against Child Abuse) stop by!

Their powerful presence and unwavering support mean the world to the children and families we serve, and their mission to create a safer environment for abused children aligns perfectly with our goals.

Thank you, B.A.C.A., for your dedication and for being such inspiring allies in our fight against child abuse. Your visits remind us all of the strength and solidarity in our community. 💙

Visit https://bacaworld.org/ to find your local chapter & contact information.

Today we highlight this absolute legend, Detective Mike Tanis, of the Kent County Sheriff's Office. Known for his dedication to helping victims of crime, being a team player, and always being down for a good laugh, we are so grateful to have him as a part of our Multidisciplinary Team.

Mike, thank you for always believing the child and being such a strong advocate of the Center. This work couldn't be done without you, and we appreciate all you do!

The Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County is seeking an individual who will play a pivotal role in advancing the Center’s mission by strategically leading and overseeing both development and communication initiatives. This role is responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive strategies to enhance fundraising efforts, cultivate donor relationships, and elevate the Center’s mission and brand through effective communication channels.

For more information, and a full job description, please visit our website:

https://www.cac-kent.org/employment-internships/

Our friends at North Central Area Credit Union are hosting a Superhero 🦸‍♀️🦸🦸‍♂️ September Charity Golf Outing for the Center, and we'd LOVE to see you there! Sign up as an individual or a team, and support a great cause. 💙

For more information on registering, or to become a sponsor, visit https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/ncacu-s-superhero-september-annual-golf-outing ⛳️

🥳 Please join us in celebrating the 1st Anniversary of our President & CEO, Leah Ortiz! Leah has been instrumental in engaging new partnerships within the community, creating new systems within the Center, and creating paths for future projects. We are grateful for her leadership and the pride she takes in the Center and the MDT. We can't wait to see what she does next!

🎉 We also celebrate two of the Kent County Sheriff's Office's finest, Detective Joey & Detective Andrew! Two of the Center's biggest advocates, we are so lucky to have them stationed here at the Center, supporting children and families in Kent County that have experienced trauma. Handling every case with care, these are two of the best.

Happy Anniversary, Leah, Joey, and Andrew! We're so honored to work alongside you. 🎂🎊

This week is National Forensic Interviewer Week.

Forensic Interviewers are crucial members of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), entrusted with the delicate task of engaging with children who have endured significant trauma. Their role involves gathering critical information with compassion and sensitivity. This position demands empathy, patience, resilience, and a heart strong enough to bear the emotional challenges it entails.

Today, and always, we thank our interviewers for their commitment to the Center and for making all children feel safe to share their story. Thank you, Augustena, Marcia, and Ona (& Bacon), for being a part of this work and making a huge impact on the children in our community.

🎨✨ A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Talented Muralist! ✨🎨

We are beyond thrilled to unveil the stunning mural of a courtroom jury created by the incredibly talented artist, Jamari Taylor! Her exquisite artwork brings to life the essence of justice, diversity, and community within our legal system. 🏛️💫

The mural beautifully captures the spirit and power of collective voices in shaping justice. It stands as a testament to the importance of every individual's role in our society and serves as an inspiring reminder of the values we uphold. 🌍🕊️

Thank you, Jamari, for your dedication, creativity, and vision. Your work not only enhances our space but also enriches our community. We are deeply grateful for your contribution! 🙏❤️

Swipe to see the full mural and let us know what you think in the comments! ⬇️🎉

To view more of Jamari's work, visit her website: https://jamari-taylor.format.com/

🎉🌞 Happy Birthday to our JULY gals!! 🌞🎉

This month, we're celebrating some incredible members of our team who light up our workplace and make every day a bit brighter. Let's give a big shout-out to our July birthday stars:

🎂 Marcia - book lover, best laugh in town, Mama to our boy, Bacon!
🎂 Misti - animal lover (no snakes), "junk drawer" (knows a little bit about everything at the office), willing to do whatever it takes to make people laugh!
🎂 Ona - fitness QUEEN, fierce advocate for children and families, coolest chick in the office (she rides a motorcycle!)
🎂 Sarah - always making kids smile, lover of dogs, ball of energy!
🎂 Kendra - kindest heart, always smiling, first to volunteer to help with anything!

Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and positive energy you bring to the team. 🎈✨ Here's to a fantastic year ahead filled with joy, success, and all the birthday cake you can eat! 🍰🎁

Feel free to share your birthday wishes below and join us in celebrating these awesome colleagues. 🥳🎉

🚨 We're Hiring! 🚨

Join our team as a Clinical Services Supervisor and make a difference in the lives of children who have experienced sexual abuse.

We are seeking a therapist that is passionate about providing trauma-informed care and who is ready to LEAD a dedicated team.

Apply now and be part of our mission creating safe, trauma-informed support while seeking justice for child victims of sexual assault. 📢

📌 For more details and to apply, visit https://www.cac-kent.org/employment-internships/.