CAFB February News - Child Advocates of Fort Bend
CAFB February News

Happy February!

After three years of planning, designing, and constructing, we have moved back into our beautifully remodeled and expanded Davis George Campus!  This has been a true labor of love and we are thrilled to have so much more space and new features to better serve the thousands of children and families who find healing, advocacy and recovery at Child Advocates of Fort Bend.  There are so many people who made this project possible and it truly was a team effort.  I want to thank board member Jim Lockwood, Building Committee Chair, who worked tirelessly with the committee and staff every step of the process to ensure the project was a great success.  We tease Jim that we’ll have an office for him in the building since he spent so much time here on this initiative.  Deep appreciation goes to board member Nancy Olson, Capital Campaign Chair, for her commitment and leadership on a wildly successful capital campaign that raised $8.4 million in one year!  Nancy’s sights never wavered toward achieving our very ambitious goal and it’s a testament to our incredibly generous community and support for the transformational work we do.  Thank you to our capital campaign committee for all your outreach, phone calls, letters and support.  Thank you to our project manager Roth Management Group, our design and architecture team at Gensler and our construction team at Forney Construction.  Your creativity, expertise and attention to detail came together to produce an amazing building that our children and families will love.  To our Board of Directors for your strategic vision and generosity to lead us into the next decade and personally make sure that our fundraising got off to an amazing start. To all our incredible donors lead by The George Foundation and Henderson Wessendorff Foundation, Mabee Foundation, Houston Endowment, Gulf Coast Medical Foundation, Madison Foundation, Fondren Foundation and so many others – we thank you for your partnership and support that Fort Bend County can be a shining example of how we take care of our children and families.  And to the staff who endured two moves and temporary offices for the past year – thank you for your patience, staying true to the work you do and always, always taking care of the children so that they can thrive.  We’re off to a great 2020!

For the Children’s Sake,

Ruthanne Mefford
CEO, Child Advocates of Fort Bend



Progress Meter: The Campaign For The Children’s Sake

Hear about the project from Mary Claire Walther, Consultant for Dini Spheris.

Watch the video! 

watch the video NOW!

 


Did You Know That You Can Donate Your Old Car? 

Make 2020 the year you finally donate that unused car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat!  We can help you achieve your New Year’s resolution of moving forward by putting your old vehicle in the rearview mirror. The process is easy, and your donation is tax-deductible.

Get started OR to Learn More

 

Kindness from a Child’s Heart

Child Advocates of Fort Bend is truly grateful to all our donors as we could not do the work that we do without their kindness and generosity. When that generosity comes from the very young, we are always especially touched. In early December, we received a call from a mother who said her daughter wanted to “give” to children who might not have toys for Christmas.  Shortly thereafter, the mother and her daughter Celina stopped by to deliver the gifts. They came with three full bags – larger than Celina herself.

“As I chatted with both Celina and Tina, I marveled at the youngster’s sweet smile and soft voice, but most of all her big heart,” stated Development Officer Dana Mersiovsky. In visiting with Celina, we learned that she had a birthday in December and turned 6.  She loves drawing, Kindergarten and especially her doll house. Celina’s birthday falls just before Christmas and at her birthday party, she told her friends and family that she would be donating her birthday gifts to Child Advocates of Fort Bend, to bring joy and happiness to other children her age.

Thank you, Celina, for your thoughtfulness and for making a difference in the lives of the children we serve

 


Play Therapy Works!

Children don’t always have the words to tell us how they’re feeling.  Play is the language children use to communicate their feelings.  That’s where play therapy comes in!  Click the button below to check out this short video by the Association for Play Therapy to learn about how play therapy helps children.

View video NOW

We are so excited to have the addition of a 3rd play therapy room in the newly renovated building!  Please help us furnish our new play therapy room with the toys and supplies that children will utilize in their healing process.  Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by the children and families we serve.

See our wish list here

 


New Community Engagement Team 

The new year has brought some exciting new changes to our outreach in the schools and our community! Because we have seen an increase in the number of schools and community organizations reaching out to us seeking information on how to better protect children, we are doubling our awareness and education efforts and have formed a Community Engagement team. This new team will build our agency-wide speaking team to help with community awareness and will continue to provide trauma informed training to our staff and partners.

We are so excited about what the new year holds and need more help to spread the word! We’re looking for more opportunities to speak to area organizations, schools and the faith-based community about how we can all help protect children from abuse and neglect. If you would like for us to come and speak to a school or organization, please contact Lindsey at lcastellanos@cafb.org.

If you are interested in being a part of our speaking team, please contact Lindsey at lcastellanos@cafb.org for more information.

 


Continuing Education

As we start the new year, please remember that all Volunteers are required to complete at least 12 hours of Continuing Education after 1 year of service. Continuing education can be trainings that our agency hosts, books, articles, webinars or movies/television shows that deal with child abuse, family dynamics or any issues around children. If you have any questions or need resources, please contact Casey at cdavis@cafb.org.

You can also find great web-based training at Texas CASA’s online learning center https://learn.texascasa.org/

 


Touring to Learn More 

A community group from Fulshear and Texas House District 26 Candidate Jacey and Fanny Jetton and members of the Fulshear Community toured our Children’s Advocacy Center recently to learn about the important work that Child Advocates of Fort Bend does and about volunteer opportunities in our Children’s Advocacy Center.




Through the Looking Glass Gala!

Save the Date for our 20th Annual Gala for the Children. This year’s event on May 2nd at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square is themed Through the Looking Glass. https://www.cafb.org/events/gala/basic-gala-facts/  Please join us for a lively and festive evening of endless possibilities and lots of fun. Included in the evening is live music, a delicious dinner, silent and live auctions, wine, jewelry, furs and a raffle. Past Galas have entertained nearly 600 guests. This is one of those events you don’t want to miss!

We are currently accepting sponsorships, auction donations and committee volunteers. If you’re interested or have any questions contact Lisa at Lmoore@cafb.org.

 


FRIENDS Mission and Martini’s

FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend is hosting their annual Mission and Martini’s membership social on Thursday, April 2 from 6pm-8pm in a private home. Are you interested in attending this social? Please contact Kristin Stiles-Janossy at kristin.janossy@gmail.com. All are welcome to attend and hear what a $40 membership entails and learn about the amazing things the FRIENDS group provides for the children served by CAFB.

Light of Hope / Pinwheel Project

Join us on Saturday, April 4th for The Pinwheel Project. Hosted by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, this free community annual event is held at Homestead Park at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond – directly across from the Justice Center. There will be food, games, face painting, music, prize giveaways and more for the whole family to enjoy. Child Advocates of Fort Bend and many others will be participating at this event to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention month. Stay tuned for details as they become available and make plans to visit us there to pick up your blue ribbons to tie around neighborhood trees, blue ribbon pins, bracelets and other goodies.

Mark your calendar!

February 11, 2020  Volunteer Banquet
Celebrating 2019 active volunteers

February 16, 2020 “For The Children’s Sake” Concert
1415 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land

Benefiting CAFB and celebrating Barnett Grower, one of our longest supporters, on her 90th birthday! This event takes place at Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School and features Cookie Joe’s Dance Companies. Admission is free. Please RSVP to 281-265-1042.

April 4, 2020 Light of Hope at The Pinwheel Project 

May 2, 2020 Through The Looking Glass Gala 

September 24, 2020 Voices for Children Breakfast

December 11-12, 2020 Christmas Home Tour

  • All
  • No categories