Rockwall County (March 23, 2025) – In the heart of Rockwall County, a beacon of hope shines for children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse. The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County (CACRC) is a vital nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for victims and their families. Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, the CACRC helps ensure that children receive the advocacy, healing, and justice they deserve.
A Mission Rooted in Compassion
The CACRC’s mission is simple yet profound: to restore the lives of children impacted by abuse through coordinated services, education, and community support. By partnering with law enforcement, child protective services, medical and mental health professionals, the center works to minimize trauma for child victims while maximizing efforts to bring offenders to justice. The CACRC provides forensic interviews, trauma-informed therapy, family advocacy, and case coordination—all at no cost to families in need.
“The Children’s Advocacy Center is the only agency of its kind in our community – offering both interventions and education about child abuse dynamics. We work collaboratively with our partner agencies to streamline an often complex and disturbing process,” explains Patricia Mejia, President and CEO of the CACRC. “An abused child often carries a tremendous amount of shame, guilt, and fear. When they find the courage to finally make a disclosure, they want nothing more than for the abuse to stop. The Children’s Advocacy Center offers a safe, secure, and confidential environment – a place where children are seen, heard, and believed. The CAC is where healing begins.”
Services That Make a Difference
When a child experiences abuse, the journey to healing can be daunting. The CACRC provides a warm and welcoming space where children can share their experiences without fear. Highly trained forensic interviewers conduct sensitive and legally sound interviews that help investigative teams while sparing children from repeated questioning. The center also offers therapy and support programs tailored to each child’s needs, ensuring that healing is accessible and comprehensive.
Additionally, the CACRC engages in preventative efforts through outreach and training programs. By working with schools, faith-based organizations, youth serving organizations, parents, and daycares, they train on child abuse prevention for youth and adults. Just last year over 4,000 students received prevention education through a partnership with Rockwall County schools. CACRC encourages all adults to get training on recognizing and reporting child abuse. The only way we will end child abuse is by the entire community coming together to stand against it.
In Texas, anyone 18 years of age or older is considered a mandatory reporter and is expected to make a report of suspected abuse by calling the child abuse hotline: 800-252-5400. Further, Children’s Advocacy Centers in Texas are a legally mandated entity. As outlined in the Texas Family Code, any child victim of sexual abuse must be taken to the closest Children’s Advocacy Center. The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County has served children and their non-offending family members since April of 2018.
On Cloud Nine: The 9th Annual Go Blue for Kids Gala
Each year, the CACRC hosts its signature fundraising event to rally community support for its mission. This year’s 9th Annual Go Blue for Kids Gala, presented by Baylor Scott & White Lake Pointe, will take place on April 26 at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront, themed “On Cloud Nine.”
Guests will be welcomed with a champagne reception, pre-dinner entertainment, photo booth, Punch a Prize, and a Treasure Chest challenge. The evening continues with a gourmet dinner, program, silent and live auction and live music by Juke Box Heroes.
VIP sponsors include Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe, City of Rockwall, Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront, HomeBank Texas, Timpa Law Firm, Blue Ribbon News, Texas Health Hospital Rockwall, and Keach Construction.
For tickets and more information, visit: https://one.bidpal.net/goblueforkids/welcome.
Go Blue for Kids Awareness Campaign: A Community United
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the CACRC leads the charge with its Go Blue for Kids campaign. This initiative encourages businesses, schools, and the entire community to wear blue, display blue ribbons, and participate in ‘go blue’ business promotions. By turning the county blue, the campaign sends a powerful message: child abuse has no place in Rockwall County.
Throughout April, the CACRC will host a series of awareness events, including a kick-off event on Thursday, March 27 at Standard Service in Heath, a series of proclamations, social media campaigns, and community gatherings.
“We hope all of Rockwall County will go blue with us,” Mejia said. “We couldn’t do what we do without a caring community, generous donors and dedicated volunteers – not to mention our partner agencies, a heroic staff, and our powerhouse of a Board. We also have a cadre of ‘Blue Tie Guys’ – colleagues in the community who serve as champions for children in Rockwall County by speaking out about child abuse dynamics.”
The CACRC Executive Board comprises President Felicia Oliphant, Rockwall County District Attorney’s Office; Vice President Eva Hummel, Manager of Public Affairs, Atmos Energy; Treasurer Kevin Hadawi, Wells Fargo Banks; Secretary Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News; Parliamentarian Sheri Starkey-Parks, Chief Human Resource Officer, SMU; and Past President Rick Carroll, Regional President, Inwood Bank.
Directors include Mayor David Billings, City of Fate; Veronica Chancellor, Program Administrator with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; Donas Cole, President, Baylor Scott & White-Lake Pointe; Karen Coughlin, Oldham Goodwin Group; Kelli Delozier, HomeBank Texas; Terry Garrett, Rockwall County Sheriff; Alison Hartley, Alison Hartley Consulting; Brady Z. Hill, Owner at Brady Z. Hill Agency; Madelyn Hill, retired, Mesquite ISD; Janet Nichol, City Council Member, Royse City; Cindy Tayem, retired, Area Manager, Oncor; JJ Villarreal, Rockwall ISD Superintendent; and Director Emeritus, Kenda Culpepper, Rockwall County DA, and Cindy Lindley, Soroptimist International.
Growing Demand
The CACRC has served over 3,600 children and their families since opening its doors for full services in 2018. Unfortunately, as the population of Rockwall County grows, so does the need for services.
“The number of kids served by the CACRC has increased dramatically – from 179 children in 2018 to over 600 last year,” said Mejia. “Our current space – the “Soroptimist House” in Rockwall – has served us well. But as the size of our staff has grown to meet the demand, the size of the facility has remained the same, challenging our ability to provide a trauma informed approach.”
The CACRC is hard at work planning for future growth, so that no child in Rockwall County is turned away.
Standing Together for Children
The fight against child abuse requires a collective effort. The CACRC remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children, seeking justice, and fostering resilience. As the community comes together for the gala and the Go Blue for Kids campaign, every dollar raised, every volunteer hour given, and every blue shirt worn contributes to a safer, stronger future for the children of Rockwall County.
For more information on how to support the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County, participate in events, or donate, visit rockwallcac.org and follow them on social media. Together, we can champion hope and make a difference.
Sponsored content. Blue Ribbon News is the proud Media Sponsor of the Go Blue for Kids Gala.
Championing Hope: The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County added by Melanie M on
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