Message from the President of the Board

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County proudly opened its doors in 1995 in a small building. Today it calls home a unique facility funded in 2007 by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust. Not only is it a beautiful structure, it is also a place where our most fragile citizens, children victimized by abuse, are provided a tranquil and serene environment in which they can heal and find justice.

The CAC’s work is made possible by many generous donors and partners who believe in our Mission. Board members are comprised of concerned citizens, as well as partner agency members such as the District Attorney, Webb County Attorney, Police and Sheriff Departments and Child Protective Services. The Board, along with our local public school systems, are invaluable advisors contributing their time to making our Center successful.

Our CAC’s mission is unique: to stop the cycle of child abuse and to educate the Community about this terrible abuse and neglect of our children, and our donors and partners are our strongest supporters of this worthy mission. Our Center provides a place where children who have suffered abuse and neglect can heal, physically, emotionally, spiritually. It is a hopeful place where they recoup their childhood again. Center Staff provides a safe environment where the child does not relive the painful trauma over and over by having to retell the ordeal. Instead, the Center’s Forensic Interviewer, Licensed Professional Counselor, Psychologist, Child Advocate, Victims Services Coordinator and Office Staff are exceptional in meeting the sensitive critical needs of our children, in assuring interventions that provide a sense of hope and healing of our young children.

The Center is also extremely fortunate to have as our Executive Director, Sylvia Bruni, a dedicated professional who has in her four years with the CAC guided it to a new and exciting level, as a Center worthy of national recognition. As I follow in the steps of prior Board Presidents, especially our immediate Past President, Minnie Dora Haynes, I hope to continue strengthening, along with my fellow Board Members and Staff, the excellence of our Center as a lifesaving place for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect and as a role model for other Centers in our State. And….when I say our Center, I mean OUR CENTER, a safe and healing place where we all collaborate to stop child abuse in our community. Drop by and visit our CAC and you too will be as proud as we are. Together let us Stop Child Abuse And Violence!

Lorrain Laurel
President of the Board 2011-2012