Jim’s 25+ years of wide-ranging involvement with CAFB demonstrate the highest level of commitment. His natural leadership, and ability to bring people together to help the less fortunate, has benefited thousands of children served by CAFB. Most recently, he has served on the Voices for Children Committee and is a Past President and Past Vice President of the Board of Directors. CAFB is privileged to have Jim still serving on the Board of Directors today, and he is an active member of the Audit Committee all while running his own practice, James G. McClellan CPA, in Sugar Land.

On top of his personal involvement, in his role as President and Trustee of the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, Jim and fellow Trustees have consistently, financially supported the agency on many projects from helping build the current CAFB offices to ensuring the agency’s most pressing needs are met annually – and that long-term planning is in place. Jim is often among the first to support CAFB’s many events whether it be volunteering for back-to-back host shifts for the Christmas Home Tour, sponsoring the gala or attending Light of Hope, Jim’s impact on the organization is profound and far-reaching.

CAFB was honored to present Jim with the Blue Ribbon Award at our recent Volunteer Banquet. This award is in honor of all child victims who have suffered abuse or neglect and whose stories and lives must not be forgotten – a fitting award for a loyal volunteer, contributor and friend.

February 4^th-10^th was National Play Therapy Week.  At the Children’s Advocacy Center, therapists use play therapy to help children process their thoughts and feelings related to the abuse they experienced or the violence that they witnessed.  Children’s brains are not developed enough to be able to fully express their thoughts and feelings through words; instead, they express themselves through play.  At the CAC, our play therapy rooms are equipped with a variety of toys that require children to use their imagination.  Our therapists have received specialized training in play therapy and pursue continuing education opportunities in order to stay up to date on current research and best practices.

To find out more about why play therapy is an effective treatment modality for children, check out this video:

Introducing Andrew 

If you would like to help the healing process, please consider making a donation to the CAC therapy department so that we may restock worn and broken toys and provide additional therapeutic resources for the children.  Check out the therapy department’s Amazon wish list to see current needs:

CAC Therapy Wish List  

The Fort Bend Infant and Toddler Court Team invites you to join us on April 5, 2018 from noon until 1:30pm to learn about services provided by the Fort Bend Transportation Department. All CASA Volunteers who work with 0-5 year old children are encouraged to attend, regardless of whether or not they have an active case. Please join us in the 328^th District Court (Judge Ronald Pope) at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX 77469. Light lunch will be provided. RSVP if attending to connie.almeida@fortbendcountytx.gov.

On Thursday, February 22^nd we hosted a luncheon celebration for 12 volunteers who recently completed their training. We are so happy to have them as a part of the CAFB team and look forward to working with them. Shown L to R are: Deborah Gonynor, Ashifa Bhimani, Pam Hubenak, Brandy Gibson, Amanda Anderson, Jennifer Anderson, Rebecca Hoelscher, Bill Taylor, Hon. Ronald Pope (328th Judicial District Court), Laurel Doll, Bob Jacobs, Karen McMillin and Sundara Kulkarni

In 2017, Child Advocates of Fort Bend served a record 2,102 children, a 20% increase over the previous year. Our volunteers opened their hearts to support these children, fought tirelessly for their best interests, went the extra mile (or hundreds or thousands of miles) to mend their shattered lives and give these children hope. In fact, our generous volunteers traveled 93,811 miles and donated 7,301 hours of their time providing a voice so that children could be heard, healing their hurt and helping to break the cycle of abuse so that children and families can have bright futures and productive lives. The love that our volunteers show in their commitment and dedication to these children is priceless and will be forever remembered as they grow, thrive and learn that there are caring adults in this world who believe in their worth.

All of our volunteers are superstars in our book and we thank ALL of them for their service in 2017. A few volunteers and partners were recognized for exceptional service in 2017, including Cynthia Barratt, who was named 2017 Child Advocate of the Year. See who else was recognized for exceptional service in 2017 and view photos of this fun event at https://www.cafb.org/events/volunteer-banquet/

Get ready for some family fun and join us at the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department’s fifth annual Pinwheel Project on April 14^th from 11am to 3pm for The Pinwheel Project. Hosted by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, this annual event is held at Homestead Park at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond – directly across from the Justice Center. This free community event is fun for the whole family. There will be food, games, inflatable bounce houses, face painting, a train, a petting zoo, music, prize giveaways and more. In fact, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, The Exchange Club of Sugar Land and FRIENDS will all be participating at this event to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention month. Visit us there to pick up your blue ribbons to tie around neighborhood trees, blue ribbon pins, bracelets and other goodies.

The Pinwheel Project is a free, fun, family day with activities for all ages. The community event is the brainchild of Lesley Vaught, a detective with the Special Crimes Unit at the Fort Bend County Sherriff’s Department. Det. Vaught, who has been with the Sheriff’s office for 12 years, developed the project with her unit five years ago when they determined they needed to do more to raise awareness of child abuse in Fort Bend County. The Special Crimes Unit created the Pinwheel Project in observance of Child Abuse Awareness month in April.

“Child abuse is something that so many people do not want to talk about and it gets ignored,” Vaught said. “The Pinwheel Project is so important to me because it brings our community together and lets others know we are here and we do care. It gives people the opportunity to learn the signs of child abuse and how to report.”

Please make plans to join us and the police departments, fire departments, fire responders and other agencies throughout Fort Bend County who work with children who have been abused. Come show your support for those who work to help the most vulnerable in our community.