la rabida children's hospital

CAC Walk Raises More Than $20,000 for Child Abuse Services at La Rabida

Wednesday June 9th, 2010

More than 130 walkers and runners laced up their shoes for a 5K, raising an estimated $20,000 to support child abuse services at the La Rabida Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center last month in Park Forest as part of the 3rd Annual Champions for Children Walk.

(Image Left: Myra D. West, Psy.D. greets the crowd of participants gathered in Park Forest.)

The Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center was one of 27 centers across the state that hosted walks, sponsored by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois. More than 1,800 walkers and runners from across Illinois participated and raised more than $125,000 overall.

Myra D. West, PsyD, Coordinator of Investigative, Advocacy and Support Services at La Rabida’s Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center said Cook County’s south suburban communities embraced the event and welcome the center’s services.

“There were children, teenagers, siblings, cousins, aunties, spouses, friends, and co-workers. Support like this reminds us why we provide these essential services to children and families coping with abuse and trauma.’’

(Image right: Billie Larkin, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois)

To reduce stress to alleged child sexual abuse victims and their families, the La Rabida Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center coordinates multidisciplinary interviews of child victims and those who have witnessed major crimes in south Cook County.  The agency collaborates with 37 local police departments, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to conduct a one-time, child-friendly, developmentally appropriate interview in a child-sensitive environment.

La Rabida Joli Burell Children’s Advocacy Center provides therapeutic and support services free of charge to children who have experienced all forms of psychological trauma and their families throughout South Suburban Cook County. It is part of La Rabida’s Chicago Child Trauma Center that provides specialized trauma-focused services to hundreds of  children each year.