From the Executive Director…
Dear Friends of Our Children,
In 1993, Webb County District Attorney Joe Rubio called together a group of Laredoans, all of them linked in one way or another to children’s services. His purpose-to address the growing number of child abuse cases that his office was receiving, more specifically, to create a system that would respond to these outcries in a manner that would not continue to victimize the young victim. He was intent on creating a seamless support system that would link the various agencies that responded to these incidents, eliminating what was at that time the reality-agencies such as law enforcement, child protective services, school counselors, medical and psychological service providers all supporting young victims of abuse, but doing so in an uncoordinated and fragmented fashion.
I was a member of the coalition that DA Rubio formed, and I worked with him and fellow Laredoans from 1993-2000, serving as the group’s co-chairperson for those seven years. When I left the group, much had been accomplished. What began as an informal team had evolved into a non-profit organization, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Webb County, and by 1995, the CAC was indeed offering young victims of abuse, as well as their peers and non-offending family members, a host of much needed services: coordinated investigative services, advocates for both the child and family, therapeutic and medical services, and especially significant, facilitation of a multi-disciplinary team of individuals, all involved in the investigation and prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.
This September, I returned to the CAC, as its new executive director, and what I discovered was a state of the art facility, newly opened this past June, with a record of service that is remarkable. Since its inception, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County has treated over 5000 young victims of abuse, the majority of these sexual abuse victims, as well as their peers and non-offending adult family members. This past year, for example, we served 451 new clients and another 50 who returned for continuing treatment and support. Each week, the Multi-Disciplinary Team members meet at the Center to review the latest cases of alleged abuse, their objective being to determine whether these cases are ready for court. The DA’s office now has four assistant district attorneys dedicated solely to prosecution of alleged child abuse perpetrators, with plans to add another two to the team. In less than fifteen years, DA Rubio’s goal has been met, and children who have been horribly abused can now count on a team of professionals that responds to their needs in a sensitive and careful manner.
On Thursday, April 24, 2008, the Board of Directors and Staff of the Children’s Advocacy Center hosted an event designed to spotlight the exemplary role played by District Attorney Joe Rubio in the creation of the CAC, its programs and impact on children in crisis. Tremendous progress has been made in providing a comprehensive tapestry of support for these young victims, and the ultimate credit belongs to DA Rubio. The celebration took on a special meaning as well because it is occurred during the month of April, designated nation-wide as Child Abuse Prevention Month, commemorating also the CAC’s first year anniversary in its new state of the art facility.
However, we are not resting on our impressive achievements. Now that we have an established program of service for our young clients, provided in a state of the art facility, we are looking forward to an expansion of our therapy programs, realizing that there is still vast opportunity for growth. Play therapy, art therapy, computer-based programs made possible via a partnership with LULAC and AT&T Texas, monthly play activities for our youngsters as well as regularly scheduled group therapy sessions for our non-offending parents are all part of the new year’s action plan.
I have been a Laredoan all my life and have much respect for my community, known for its impressive non-profit work and number of volunteers., whose generosity has brought great benefit to our community, so much of this work dedicated to the young people of Laredo. If our readers are impressed with the mission of our CAC and would like to extend that bounty to the children and families that we serve at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County, we would deeply appreciate your generosity and assure you that by doing so you will be supporting a community effort that has brought priceless relief to the children who most need it.
If I can provide you with additional information regarding the CAC, please call on me, either by telephone (956-712-1840, office/956-763-3335, cellular) or by email: executivedirector@caclaredo.org
Sincerely,
Sylvia Bruni,
Executive Director
