Advocates for Children 2023 Annual Impact Report

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IMPACT REPORT 2023 ADVOCHILD.ORG

Advocates for Children has been on an incredible journey in 2023. Last year marked a significant milestone in our organization's history with the opening of the Prevention and Advocacy Center, made possible through the unwavering support and dedication of our community. This center stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, providing vital resources, support, and advocacy for children and families in need. Our Prevention and Advocacy Center serves as a lifeline for those facing adversity, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

In 2023, we witnessed the profound impact of our collective efforts in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable members of our community. Our nine program teams served 14,963 people, of whom more than 10,000 were children and youth under the age of 24. And perhaps most sobering to know that Children’s Advocacy heard the accounts of 414 children who were victims of a crime or witnessed a crime. We are thankful for the work of our forensic interview team and for how they are trained to support children through horrific and traumatic experiences. Through it all, we still believe there is a bright future in store for each child.

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce another milestone in our journey towards creating a brighter future for our youth. This year, we will be opening Newman House, a residence tailored to meet the unique needs of unhoused youth. Newman House will stand as an inclusive and empowering space where every young person, regardless of their background, can embrace their inherent value and limitless potential.

None of our work would be possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and compassionate community members. Your contributions have fueled our passion and propelled us forward in our mission to protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities.

As we embark on this new chapter, I invite you to join us in our continued journey towards creating a brighter tomorrow for our children and families. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Together in Service,

Dear Supporters and Friends,

We extend heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed Board of Trustees members whose unwavering dedication to our mission to protect children, empower families, and fortify our communities serves as a beacon of inspiration. Their steadfast commitment ensures that we continue to make meaningful strides towards a brighter future for those we serve. We eagerly anticipate their continued invaluable contributions in shaping the trajectory of our organization and the lives we impact.

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PATRICK NELSON Board Chairman

Bartow County Government

LORA WARNER

Secretary

Warner Trucking

JIM ANDREWS Shaw Industries

GINGER TYRA

Piedmont Health

MARC FEUERBACH

Cartersville City Schools

GLEN MERRITT Chairman Elect

Raymond James Financial

BARRY JUSTUS Treasurer Ameris Bank

HANNAH HART Community Volunteer

JOHN LAMPLEY

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

NANCY NEWMAN Emeritus

DARNICE MOSS Gerdau

DIERDRA LANIER

Summit Grading Services

LEAH HARPER

H&H Realty

SID ROWSER

Georgia Power Company

Advoc 3 to provid Georgia who were suffering from abuse and neglect. Over the past four decades, in response to the growing needs of our community, we ‘ ve grown our services into nine distinct program lines spanning across eleven Northwest Georgia counties.

Using a holistic approach to address the challenges of the children and families we serve, we deliver a range of services aimed at empowering families, and fostering community resilience. In 2023, our programs touched the lives of 14,963 children, youth, and adults by providing safety, solace, and optimism to those we serve.

Protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities.

Communities where all children are safe, thriving, and loved.

Service- We provide quality and excellence in all we do. Love- We serve our families, children, and youth with compassion and dedication.

Integrity– We build relationships on trust and mutual respect.

Hope – We believe in a better tomorrow.

For over 40 years, Advocates for Children has been protecting children and building families in Northwest Georgia.

1983 – Marked the year when concerned community members in Bartow County recognized the need for a children’s shelter in our community. After thoughtful research and support for Bartow’s newest program, our ambitious founders realized their vision was a possibility.

1985 – Advocates obtained a small house to serve as Bartow County’s first children’s shelter. The shelter served fewer than nine children at a time in its first few years.

1988 – First Steps program launch

1999 – Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter opens on Monroe Crossing

1999 – Rainbows program launch

2000 – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program launch

2002 – Safe Place program launch

2008 – Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) opens

2013 – Hope in Your Home program launch

2019 – RISE Independent Housing program launch

2021 – Supporting Kids on the Road to Excellence (SKORE) program becomes part of Advocates

2022 – THRIVE Family Resource Center launches in Cobb and Bartow counties and Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter moves to its temporary residential location

2023 - Advocates for Children’s Prevention and Advocacy Center opens in Bartow county to serve children and families throughout the region

In September 2023, the opening of the Advocates for Children Prevention and Advocacy Center marked the culmination of a decades long aspiration. It represents a significant milestone for our agency, consolidating all our prevention and advocacy initiatives under one roof for the first time. This consolidation enhances our ability to cater to the needs of the children and families we serve. Within our new facility, we are able to house the Children’s Advocacy Center, therapy spaces, family engagement rooms, a comprehensive training center, and administrative offices.

The establishment of the Prevention and Advocacy Center owes much to the generous contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations through our $4.6M Build Families. Protect Children. Capital campaign. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these partners for their invaluable support as we collectively strive to instill hope and security in the lives of children and families across Northwest Georgia.

State&Federal 2,221,070.52 FundraisingEvents 430,365.00 HouseholdDonors 276,314.00 FoundationDonors 249,720.00 Revenue Expenses RISE 23% Development 13% FloweringBranch 13% CASA 12% HopeinYourHome 11% CAC 9% THRIVE 9% Administration 7% SKORE 3% Corporate Partners $48,143 United Way $72,696 $ $ $ $ *Unaudited Financial Numbers

Since the establishment of Flowering Branch Children's Shelter in 1983, Advocates for Children has steadily expanded our array of services to meet the expanding needs of our community, to safeguard children from abuse and neglect, foster the empowerment of children and families, and furnish secure refuge for homeless children and youth.

Our nine distinct programs operate cohesively, providing various levels of education, prevention, and advocacy in seamless collaboration. These program lines complement one another, delivering enhanced intervention and support for families and children experiencing crisis situations.

The Original Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter

Our Service Area

Advocates for Children runs a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) that serves children and youth who have reported sexual or severe physical abuse. The CAC reporting process is a single event managed by a multidisciplinary team including law enforcement, medical personnel, and child protective services. The center also provides ongoing support to the families through family advocates.

414

In 2023, 414 children bravely shared their experience of physical and sexual abuse during forensic interviews at the Children's Advocacy Center.

750 volunteer hours were dedicated to the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center in 2023.

750

In addition to conducting forensic interviews, Advocates also provides services to the non-offending caregivers, child victim, and other family members. Services include:

Needs assessment

Connection to the local victim’s rights agency

Ongoing support throughout the investigation, intervention, and treatment process.

Referrals to community resources including appropriate medical and therapeutic providers

Advocates for Children provides support to children in Bartow and Gordon County foster care through a national program, CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA) volunteers are appointed by juvenile court to advocate for children’s best interests. This best-interest advocacy makes a life-changing difference for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care. Our goal is to advocate for a safe, permanent home for each child.

In 2023

100

Gordon Bartow

er hours were given by CASA ers to advocate for the rights of in foster care.

CASA of Northwest Georgia cases were closed with the goal of permancancy for the child in care achieved.

88% of eligible children in Bartow county foster care were assigned a CASA.

CASA of Northwest Georgia serves children in foster care in Gordon and Bartow counties with offices located in both Calhoun and Cartersville, Georgia.

CASA volunteers are the most intensely trained of Advocates’ volunteers, with over 30 hours of class time and 10 hours of court observation.

40 YEARS OF GOOD

Investing in the Lives of Children

Children in foster care in Northwest Georgia have been blessed with the selfless dedication of Sue Cox, Judy Wilson, and Max and Cheryl Parrott for a combined 40 years.These exceptional volunteers have shown remarkable commitment and empathy in defending the rights of foster children in Bartow and Gordon counties as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Advocates for Children’s CASA of Northwest Georgia program.

Judy credits her own happy childhood as the catalyst for her decision to become a CASA volunteer, “I had such a good - happy - secure childhood that I would like to see the same for all kids. If I can help a few get there I will be happy.” When reflecting over their decade of service to children in foster care, the Parrotts share, “To see a child who has been returned to parents who have had the opportunity to correct their mistakes or to be placed in an adoptive home or given some sort of permanency gives great satisfaction. To see a child years later who has become a happy, successful, productive citizen gives immeasurable pleasure to us.”

Despite numerous changes over the past decade, the need for compassionate and steadfast volunteers to advocate for the rights of children in the court system has remained constant. Advocates was a much smaller organization when Sue, Judy, Max, and Cheryl first became CASA volunteers. Today, Advocates for Children serves 11 counties in Northwest Georgia with nine distinct programs, including the CASA program which initially only served Bartow county but has since expanded to include Gordon county.

To see a child years later who has become a happy, successful, productive citizen gives immeasurable pleasure to us.
Max and Cheryl Parrott -

To better meet the needs of the community, Advocates launched the $4.6 million Build Families. Protect Children. Capital Campaign in 2020, culminating in the opening of our new Prevention and Advocacy Center in Cartersville in September 2023. For the first time, all of Advocates' prevention and advocacy programs, including CASA of Northwest Georgia, are housed under one roof. This new center has made it easier for CASAs like Sue, Judy, and the Parrotts to advocate for foster children. Families working towards reunification can receive parenting education through the Hope in Your Home program, while the THRIVE Family Resource Center provides basic necessities for children in foster care. CASAs are also able to come together in the Ely Corporation Education Center to collaborate and share best practices. Sue Cox, Judy Wilson, and Max and Cheryl Parrott have dedicated themselves to making that vision a reality over the past ten years and Advocates for Children invites others to join them in Advocate’s mission to protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities.

Youth residing at Flowering Branch receive: trauma informed case management services, individual and family counseling, youth development activities, social and independent living skills, and assistance with achieving a high school diploma, GED, and college entrance.

80% of residents earned passing grades at progress report and report card time in 2023.

The Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter (FBCS) is a residential program for at-risk youth who have been abused, neglected and/or sexually exploited or who have runaway and are homeless.

The goal of the shelter program is to provide safe and stable housing for these youth in the community by partnering with non-abusive parents, relatives, foster parents, and adoptive families while maintaining community ties.

Volunteer Opportunities at FBCS

1,915

Donation Drives

safe nights of sleep were provided for children at Flowering Branch

Children's Shelter in 2023.

Mentoring Meal Delivery Tutoring

HIYH PROGRAMS

FIRST STEPS

638 newborns and their families were visited at Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center by our First Steps program in 2023

100% of families participating in Positive Parenting Program showed positive change in behavior as reflected in overall score in post-assessments in 2023

1534 individuals were served by Hope in Your Home through our myriad of parenting programs in 2023

Advocates for Children offers a free home visitation program to support families and children. Through our four parenting programs, caregivers receive practical strategies to manage their children's behavior, prevent problems, and build strong relationships from birth to age 16.

0-5YR POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM THE BASICS 05 YR 05 RY
TRIPLE P PAT PARENTS AS TEACHERS
RY61-2

Facilitated

Rainbows for All Children is the largest nonprofit program dedicated to helping children heal from painful family transitions. Since 1999, Rainbows has helped children through the process of healing from difficult transitions, including separation, divorce, death, illness, and military deployment.

18 school counselors, social workers, and teachers are trained to faciliate the Rainbows program in their schools.

17

elementary and middle schools particiapte in Rainbows.

Rainbows curriculum helps children and teenagers:

Enhance problem-solving, behavior, and anger management skills.

Improve communication in their families

Improve school attendance and academic performance

Reduce emotional pain and suffering

251%

increase in the number of students recieving grief support through the Rainbows program since 2023 (383) in comparison to the number of students served the previous year (109).

Alleviate depression and anxiety

Reduce the likelihood of destructive behavior

locally by Advocates for Children,

98.58% of housed RISE clients were able to successfully maintain permanancy for at least 90 days after exiting the RISE program.

8,328 safe nights of sleep were provided for youth 18-24 and their dependent children in 2023.

Developing Life Skills

During the course of the program, case managers work with RISE clients to enhance life skills based on the client’s experience and need.

Budgeting GoalSetting

RISE Youth Independent Housing expanded Advocates’ capacity to assist young adults. The purpose of this program is to assist young people who do not have a permanent home obtain and maintain housing, become selfsufficient, and grow into independent and successful adults. This program helps homeless youth in six of the eleven counties that Advocates for Children serves across northwest Georgia.

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RISING ABOVE Halle’s Journey to Empowerment

Halle’s journey began with adversity, but her determination and the guidance of Advocates for Children set her on a path toward success. As the eldest of twelve children, Halle faced immense responsibilities and pressures at a young age. Yet, her spirit remained unbroken, and she dared to dream of a brighter future.

Halle and her family first came to Advocates through our Family Resource Center. When Halle found herself at a crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the transition from youth to adulthood, she discovered the RISE Youth Independent Housing program. Here, she found more than just a roof over her head; she found a community that believed in her potential and provided the support she needed to thrive.

The RISE program became Halle's springboard to success, empowering her to achieve milestones she once thought were out of reach. From securing stable employment to finding safe housing and even purchasing her first car, Halle embraced the opportunities afforded to her with gratitude and determination.

In her cozy apartment, adorned with her unique sense of style, Halle finds solace and pride. It is a reflection of how far she has come and a reminder of the limitless potential that lies within her.

But perhaps the greatest gift Halle received from the RISE program was freedom – the freedom to pursue her education without sacrificing her basic needs, the freedom to dream without limitations, and the freedom to carve out a future filled with purpose and possibility.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Halle's infectious optimism and bright smile light up every room she enters. She is not only a beacon of hope for herself but also for others who may be walking a similar path. Through her involvement in her church, her membership in RISE's Youth Advisory Board, and her volunteer work within the community, Halle seeks to uplift and inspire those around her.

With unwavering determination, Halle set her sights on her goals. She aspires to pursue a law degree, fueled by her passion for justice and her desire to protect the rights of the marginalized. Through her internship with the Public Defender's office in Atlanta, she gained firsthand experience in advocating for those in need, solidifying her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

As Halle embarks on the next chapter of her journey, she does so with a sense of purpose and a determination to pay it forward. She dreams of supporting other young people who have faced similar struggles, offering them hope, guidance, and encouragement as they navigate their own paths toward success.

Halle's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the impact of community support, and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Through Advocates for Children's programs, she has not only found a home but also discovered the strength to rise above and thrive. Together, we can continue to empower young adults like Halle to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams.

Pathway to Possibility provides emergency shelter for youth experiencing crisis or homelessness. The program offers temporary emergency shelter and case management to runaway, homeless or housing-insecure youth under 18 years of age throughout Advocates for Children’s service areas.

Youth age 17 or younger experiencing crisis or homelessness in Northwest Georgia can text the word “SAFE” with their location to 4HELP (44357) to be connected with Pathway to Possibility and our shelter services.

100% of youth participating in the Pathway program remained engaged in aftercare services after 30 days of discharge in 2023.

69 youth were diverted from homelessness through the Pathway to Possibility program in 2023.

Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for youth in crisis who need the assistance and support of the Pathway program.

Advocates for Children provides youth in crisis with timely assistance through the national safety net program Safe Place. Local schools, churches, fire stations, police departments, and other community businesses and organizations are committed Safe Place site partners trained in making referrals to the Pathway to Possibility program and assessing immediate needs of a youth in crisis.

What happens when a child goes to an Advocate’s Safe Place site?

1 2

A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help from site employees.

The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call Advocates for Children.

3

An Advocate’s staff member will arrive to talk with the youth and, if necessary, provide transportation to the shelter.

4 Do You Want to Become a Safe Place Partner Site?

Upon arrival at the shelter, counselors offer support to youth, ensuring they and their families receive necessary services.

177 Safe Place sites, including 11 mobile sites, partner with Advocates for Children in 9 Northwest Georgia counties.

Contact Us!

11,013

children and adults participated in Safe Place awareness presentations at schools and community gatherings to learn where youth can turn in crisis.

770-382-6180

NEWMAN HOUSE

A Brighter Future for Unhoused Youth

Recognizing the increasing needs of unhoused youth in Northwest Georgia, Advocates for Children is breaking ground on a new facility to address the crisis of youth homelessness. Named in tribute to Nancy Newman, one of the founding members and fervent supporters of Advocates for Children, Newman House is slated to open its doors in late 2024. Situated adjacent to Advocate’s Prevention and Advocacy Center in Cartersville, this new residentce aims to offer a secure and stable haven for several demographics. Newman House will cater to the needs of children residing at Flowering Branch Children's Shelter, as well as transition age youth. Additionally, Newman House will function as a drop-in center for unhoused youth where they can access showers, laundry facilities, and the support of our Pathway to Possibility team.

Newman House is designed to furnish both extended and temporary housing options for homeless youths, complemented by trauma-informed case management services. These services encompass individual and family counseling, engaging youth development activities, fostering social and independent living skills, and providing assistance toward attaining educational milestones such as high school diplomas, GEDs, and college admission. Ultimately, Newman House aims to furnish the necessary support systems for youths to transition out of the program with the requisite skills and confidence to thrive independently.

49

youth were diverted from court involvement by participating in the SKORE program in 2023.

SKORE utilizes the SPARK Curriculum (Speaking to the Potential, Ability, and Resilience Inside Every Kid). The curriculum focuses on the following skills for overall youth improvement:

Resilience

89.8% of youth participating in SKORE were able to avoid any new court charges during their participation in the program in 2023.

6 months

Youth assigned to SKORE may take anywhere from 3-18 months to graduate, with an average time of 6 months for program completion.

Supporting Kids on the Road to Excellence (SKORE) is a diversion program that serves as an avenue for holding youth accountable for their behavior, empowering them to make changes in their own lives. SKORE is offered to children between ages 12 to 17 years old who have committed noncriminal acts that are considered a law violation because of their status as minors (status offenses).

Communication

Problem-solving Skills

Appropriate Decision-making

Improving emotional regulation

99.98%

of children served through the THRIVE Family Resource Center remained within their family without need for out of family placement in 2023.

Advocates for Children’s latest innovative program, THRIVE Family Resource Center, instills hope, empowers, and strengthens families involved in the child welfare system who are struggling with poverty. Our goal is to stabilize families by providing concrete support while working with community partners to meet immediate basic needs, such as adequate housing, food, and healthcare to prevent the trauma of unnecessary foster care removal and help families thrive.

238

Families were served by our THRIVE Family Resource Center. Families were provided with the support and resources needed to meet the needs of families and their children in 2023.* *

Cobb Location
Center Locations
Location
Cartersville
Resource
Bartow
Advocates for Children Prevention & Advocacy Center 827 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy
Road NW Suite
Kennesaw
1301 Shiloh
850
Updated 3-18-2023

Advocates for Children expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering support extended by our donors and supporters. Their generous contributions empower us to fulfill our mission by investing in dedicated and compassionate staff members who tirelessly serve children and families. Through charitable donations, we acquire the essential tools to address the diverse needs of families and offer youth safe and nurturing environments to thrive. The invaluable support of our donors enables Advocates to extend our reach, serving over 13,000 children and families annually, equipping them with the necessary resources to overcome obstacles and embark on paths toward fulfilling and prosperous futures.

Last year, our organization received charitable donations from 1149 donors who contributed $1.039 million to support our program operations. An additional $900,000 was donated to the Build Families. Protect Children Capital Campaign. The list below highlights our top institutional donors. Corporate Partners provide unrestricted gifts or program support of $10,000 or more.

FOUNDATION PARTNERS

Cartersville Service League Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia

Crane Charitable Funds

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Fidelity Charitable

Fisher Family Foundation

Food Lion Charitable Foundation

Georgia Health Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Professional Human Services Association- Foundation Acct

Greystone Power Foundation

Help for Children

Kirby Smart Family Foundation

Ma-Ran Foundation

Mariner Wealth Advisors

Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation

Milton M. Ratner Foundation

National Christian Foundation

Payne Family Charitable Fund

Publix Super Markets Charities

Raymond James Charitable Foundation

Ribbons of Hope, Investment In

Women, Inc.

Sequoyah Tennis Association

The Fraser-Parker Foundation

Tulsa Community Foundation/ QuikTrip

United Way of Bartow County

United Way of Gordon County

United Way of Greater Atlanta

Wells Fargo

FAITH PARTNERS

CrossPoint City Church

Church of the Ascension

Due West United Methodist Church

First Baptist Church of Cartersville

First Presbyterian Church of Cartersville

Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Heritage Baptist Church of Cartersville

Life Change Church

Mt. Tabor Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist

Northpointe Church

Northgate Church of Jesus C

Pine Grove Baptist Church

Sam Jones Methodist Church

Tabernacle Baptist Church

Trinity at the Well UMC

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Bartow Paving Company

Bartow Precast

Bartow/Cartersville Exchange Club

Collins Enterprises HVAC & Refrigeration

Ely Concrete Construction Company

Enterprise Holdings

Georgia Power Citizens Group

Georgia Power Company

Gerdau

H&H Realty

Heatco, Inc

Iron Order Motor Cycle Club

Lara J Designs

P & W Quality Machines

Piedmont Hospital-Cartersv

Publix Super Market-

Employee Giving

QuikTrip

RenovationX

Shaw Industries

Summit Grading

TDS

Vista Metals

Warner Trucking

Wells Fargo

to Wire Running
Wire
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Child Abuse Prevention
Month
Kids Helping Kids
CASA Day at the Capitol Annual Meeting Our Song Benefit Concert HIYH Christmas Runaway and Homeless Youth Awareness Month CASA Swearing In FBCS Summer Vacation Gerdau Alan J. Silkwood Golf Tournament Ribbon Cutting for Prevention and Advocacy Center Christmas Parade
Half
Day Graze and Raise 2023 Iron Order Ride for the Kids Graduation Celebration
Chick-fil-A/Big Peach
Marathon & Duck Dash Moving
Teen Maze
827 Joe Frank Harris Parkway P O Box 446 Cartersville, GA 30120 770.387.1143 advochild.org

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