The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend DECEMBER 2023

TheVOICES of Inside / CEO Update • Christmas Home Tour • Partner Appreciation • Case Closing • Helping Children • and much More!

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December 2023

/ The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend/

contents NEWS + FEATURES

03 FROM THE CEO CEO Ruthanne Mefford shares what we have been up to this month

06 SPOTLIGHT: PARTNER APPRECIATION

See photos from our Partner Appreciation Party

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08 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Keeping you informed on our mission: Strengthen the Child's Voice, Heal the Hurt, and Break the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect for Children in Fort Bend and surrounding counties.

CASA HELPS CHILDREN FIND HAPPINESS 10 BEING INTENTIONAL FOR A BRIGHT NEW YEAR

Self-care, quality time with loved ones and setting goals

16 THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS We love this time of year. . .

19 SPOTLIGHTS See what we've been doing this month Collaborations Conference wrap and case closing

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20 20

22 NEEDS + OPPORTUNITIES

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR

CASE CLOSING

23 SAVE THESE DATES

Get details and join us!

Check out what we need and how you can help!

Check out what we need this month and how you can help us

Save these dates and plan to join us for these upcoming events

5403 AVENUE N ROSENBERG, TX 77471 281-344-5100

WWW.CAFB.ORG

/ The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend/

from the ceo

Happy Holidays from Child Advocates of Fort Bend!

We hope your holidays are off to a wonderful start. This season is a time for celebration and reflection with your family and friends.

What better way to kick off the season by joining us for our 32nd Annual Christmas Home Tour on December 8 and 9. We are excited to bring you five beautifully decorated homes throughout Fort Bend County for you to leisurely tour and get decorating ideas while supporting children who have been abused. Each year, 1500 – 2000 guests view these homes and we expect a big turnout this year as well. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, for their continued support every year, to our Archangel Sponsor Sewell Audi Sugar Land, our Children’s Godparent Sponsors Lynn & Aaron Spiwak and OCuSOFT and to our many other sponsors who make the tour possible.

music, serve as House Captains or Committee Chairs and spend endless hours planning and scheduling. Because of your volunteer service which totals thousands of hours, over 94% of every dollar donated by our generous donors goes to CAFB services that support children who have suffered abuse. We hope to raise $200,000 this year which will make a huge impact and help to transform the lives of hundreds of children in foster care and children served in our Children’s Advocacy Center. With the visibility of this event throughout Fort Bend County, the Home Tour raises the awareness of child abuse which helps bring education and information so that the community can unite together in our mission to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. Thank you all for being a part of this special event. See you on the tour!

For the Children's Sake,

Thank you to our Sponsor Party hosts, Narmin and Naushad Kermally, who opened their home and to Mahesh’s Kitchen for their wonderful catering. We couldn’t do it without the 800 volunteers who staff each home, bake cookies, entertain with their holiday

Ruthanne

Ruthanne Mefford, CEO

December 8 + 9, 2023 presented by

Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation

It’s CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR time!

We’re ready, the homes are all set and it’s time to TOUR! We say it every year, but you don’t want to miss this festive and fun event. FIVE beautiful homes are decked out for the holidays and can be found in Imperial, Sugar Creek, Sweetwater, Riverstone and Sienna. We’ll have performances by talented local performers and home baked cookies. We’ll also have super cute holiday tees and vibrant colored butterfly ornaments (perfect for gifting) for sale at two of the homes. Whatever your décor style or your holiday mood from Grinch to Mrs. Claus, you are sure to enjoy yourself. If you follow us on social - you can get a sneak peek but you will definitely want to come and see them for yourself!

Tour hours are Friday and Saturday from 10am until 4pm with a candlelight tour on Friday evening from 6pm until 9pm. Your ticket allows you into each home once during tour hours.

Friday evening guests will receive a special light up necklace while supplies last, courtesy of the Hrebenar Family.

It’s not too late to join us as a sponsor!

For tickets, sponsorship info and all things home tour click this link.

For more information contact Tarina at TSheridan@cafb.org.

SPOTLIGHT

Partner Appreciation

By Kristy Gutierrez, Manager of Forensic Interviewing

We had a great turn out this past month as we hosted our Partner Appreciation Banquet for our partners Our partners consist of Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) caseworkers, law enforcement, County Attorneys and District Attorneys from Fort Bend, Austin and Waller counties.

During the banquet, partners were able to mingle, enjoy German food and drinks, and feel appreciated for their hard work and dedication. Without our amazing partners we would not be able to do the work we do.

The following partners were awarded for excellence in collaboration for the past year:

their

Professional of the Year DFPS Investigator Tamara Kiser (not in attendance) Detective Erik Marmol with Rosenberg Police Department Wurst Case Detective Julius Belton with Katy Police Dept.

Rookie of the Year DFPS Investigator Rasheida Welsh Detective John Davis with Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Professional P1 DFPS Investigator Atim Tolbert Detective Matthew Drake with Brookshire Police Department Last Partner Standing DFPS Investigator Evan Singleton Detective Lisa Yates Porrovecchio with Missouri City Police Department

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: National Adoption Day Celebration

By Metoyer Martin, CASA Program Director

Child Advocates of Fort Bend hosted the joyous National Adoption Day celebration November 17, 2023, at the Fort Bend County Courthouse. Fourteen children were legally joined with their forever families. This day was particularly special for the CASA program as we watched a youth we served for 7 years finally find happiness with his new family. In December of 2016, this young boy entered the foster care system at the age of 6. At the time he was removed from his home with his siblings, they were living in a collapsed trailer with broken windows and a hole in the roof. The home environment was also unsanitary. The young boy was also being physically abused by his biological grandfather. As a result of the trauma he experienced, he was acting out aggressively which led to him being admitted to psychiatric hospitals multiple times by the young age of 6. He was placed in a foster home with his siblings, but the foster parents requested that he be moved due to his behavior. Over the years he was placed in five different foster homes. His siblings were adopted, but no one wanted him due to his behaviors leaving the young boy feeling rejected and alone.

His CASA volunteer, Donna Oveson, was the only consistent person in his life. She was

with him for every placement change, every school change, and any transition he endured. She continued to advocate and search for a family for this young boy. She tried to keep him connected to his siblings, advocating for him to be allowed to visit with them. She continuously explored his biological mother’s situation to determine if he could ever go back to her. Unfortunately, his biological mother suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues and was never able to provide him with the safety and stability he needed and deserved. After seven long years, an adoptive family was found for him. Donna made sure she read through every file about the family and met with them multiple times to ensure they were the right fit. She did not want to see this young boy rejected again. On November 17, 2023, this young boy became whole at the age of 13. He had the felt safety and love he yearned for all his life. This was a unique experience for our CASA program. Many of the teens we serve age out of the foster care system without being adopted. There wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom that day because we all knew what we witnessed was extraordinary and it gave us hope for the thousands of teenagers waiting for their forever families to step forward.

ADOPTION FOLLOW UP: Some people say, things will work out the way they are supposed to. If you ask Mogey Lovelle, she’ll tell you it’s true. Lovelle always knew she wanted to adopt. It seemed like a great way to start a family. It just made sense to her. You are taking care of a child who needs a family and who might not get the love, attention and help they need. Growing up, she had a lot of friends who were adopted. She became a CASA Advocate, she was a Lifebook coordinator for CPS and she volunteered with a youth group. Three of the girls in the group were adopted and they had friends who had never been adopted and they talked about it to her. She knew that youth ages 10-18 waited the longest, which is why she decided to adopt an older child.

Armed with a degree in psychology and a lawyer and researcher by trade, Lovelle read everything she could on adoption, adopting older children, parenting teens and how to raise boys (she figured she would know how to raise girls) so that she was prepared. She told her boss about her plan to foster to adopt a teen. “It’s a slow process and requires a lot of time. It’s not like they will call me, and I’ll get a child right away. With teens, there are a lot of meetings. You get to know them – it takes time,” Lovelle told her boss.

On February 28, she was in Glen Rose, celebrating her cousin’s birthday with family.

That evening, she prayed, asking God why he would be giving such a strong yearning for a child if she wasn’t going to be able to

have one of her own.

Eleven days later, she got the call. We have a child for you – a baby. Born on the same day as her cousin and the day of her prayer, this baby was meant for her. She was ready for a teen but hadn’t given much thought or preparation as to what to do with a baby. She called her boss and then her sister. A coworker helped her get a crib, a highchair and everything else she would need. She still cannot believe that everything fit into the trunk of her sedan. The baby was tiny and had colic. Lovelle sang to calm the baby and help her sleep. Every time, she sang Country Roads, the baby smiled. The words were fitting - “country roads take me home to the place I belong”. Everything just fell into place.

Lovelle participated in National Adoption Day in 2011. She and her daughter joined Child Advocates of Fort Bend and its partners for the Fort Bend County National Adoption Day Celebration recently to celebrate the adoption of 14 children including 7 children ages 11-15. Grace, now 13, is a teenager who towers over Lovelle. She is shy, sweet and easygoing. She loves horseback riding and animals and hopes to be a vet someday.

It’s always encouraging when we see families years down the road and the children are thriving. At Child Advocates of Fort Bend, we want every child who has experienced abuse to be able to recover and heal and have a happy and stable family life.

Being Intentional for a Bright New Year: Self-care, quality time with loved ones and setting goals

By Courtney James, Melissa Johnson, Jheri Walters, Metoyer Martin & Jen Brown

Self-care is often something that is talked about in training, research, webinars, but it’s something that is often overlooked in day-today life. As the holidays are approaching, there will most likely be an influx of caring for others and a decrease in caring for oneself. This is common, as a society we have this ingrained thought process that the holidays are for gathering, hosting, gift giving, all which require time, energy, and money. Throughout the holidays, don’t be surprised to find yourself becoming irritable or withdrawn. These unwanted feelings are most likely caused by the lack of being intentional about caring for yourself.

So, what is self-care and how do I do it? Well, that’s the golden question. Self-care looks

different for everyone. For one person it could consist of walking their dog, for another it could be sipping coffee and reading a book.

Self-care is not a one size fits all. It’s critical to realize that self-care is instrumental in ensuring that you are able to serve your family, clients, and community. Always remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s extremely important to find something that fills up your cup and gives you the ability to be a kind and compassionate person. CAFB encourages you to use the new year as an opportunity to find what really brings you peace, makes you happy, allows you to unwind, and fills your cup.

Life is challenging, it takes a lot of energy.

Starting the new year by implementing a strong self-care routine will set you up for success in all aspects of your life.

/ The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend/

Even Lizzie Takes Care of Herself!

Lizzy is awake again and out of her cave!

We’ve had Lizzy, the bearded dragon, in our CAC reception area since 2017 and we are so grateful for all that she does for our clients. Our CAC mascot works hard throughout the year helping us make children more comfortable and at ease.

Once every year, Lizzy goes through brumation, a reptile’s version of hibernating and slowing down, for about three months.

During this time, we see very little of her as she is mostly sleeping and conserving her energy. However, now that she is awake, she can be seen running around the reception area in the mornings, eating lots of food, and doing her part to help kids at the CAC. We are so excited to have her awake again and reenergized as she does so much to make the environment feel safe and calm for many of the kids who come through our doors.

Lizzy is often one of the first things that children see when they arrive, and many make a beeline straight to her tank. The kids love to learn more about her, pet her, and some are even brave enough to hold her.

One talented middle schooler wrote a song about Lizzy on their clarinet and played it for her right outside of her tank. Lizzy has sat in on countless forensic interviews

keeping the children calm and giving them a friend in the room. Recently, one of our volunteers was able to direct the attention of a little girl that was crying to Lizzy. The girl was able to feed Lizzy a worm and was then able to have a fun time playing in the playroom. Lizzy also helps us engage and build rapport with kids who come to the CAC sitting in on more therapy sessions than we can count.

Lizzy’s period of brumation is an example that it is important to rest and take time off so that we can be reenergized to continue the hard work we do. Even though we miss her for three months every year, we know that she is at her best and healthiest after going through brumation. This kind of rest is natural to reptiles and follows the calendar of Australian winter. Lizzy is proof we can all benefit even from taking things a little bit slower. Even throughout her day, Lizzy makes sure to use self-care by regularly sunbathing and exercising so that she can be fully charged to be the best therapy dragon she can be. We hope that this holiday season offers a welcome rest for you and that you can come out of it feeling as though you experienced your own brumation just like Lizzy!

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MAKING HOLIDAY MAGIC: 10 Simple and Fun Activities for Kids The holiday season is upon us, and there's no better way to celebrate the joy and warmth of this festive time than by spending quality moments with your little ones. If you're wondering how to keep your kids entertained and engaged during the holidays, worry not!

We've compiled a list of 10 simple and delightful activities that parents and caregivers can enjoy with their children. Get ready to create unforgettable memories filled with laughter and love!

1. Holiday Baking Extravaganza: Put on your aprons, gather the little chefs, and embark on a baking adventure! Whip up some delicious cookies, cakes, or gingerbread houses.

Let your kids get creative with colorful icing and edible decorations. And of course, don't forget the best part – tasting your sweet creations together!

2. Crafty Creations: ·Unleash your artistic sides with holiday-themed crafts. Make handmade greeting cards, ornaments, or paper snowflakes. You can find plenty of easy craft ideas online and supplies at your local discount store. Let your kids' imaginations run wild, and soon, you'll have a festive home adorned with their masterpieces.

3. Storytime: Cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa and a good holiday book. Take turns reading stories aloud, complete with funny voices and dramatic pauses. Encourage your kids to chime in and let their imagination roam as you explore magical winter worlds together.

4. Outdoor Adventures: Embrace the chilly weather by engaging in outdoor activities. Play a game of “I spy” around the neighborhood while searching for holiday décor. Hide holiday ornaments in your yard and go on a scavenger hunt.

5. Holiday Movie Marathon: Create a cozy movie corner with blankets and pillows and have a holiday movie marathon!

Let your kids pick their favorite festive films, make some popcorn, and snuggle up for a day filled with heartwarming movies and shared laughter.

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7. Family Game Night: Gather around the table for a night of board games and laughter. From classic games like Monopoly and Scrabble to holiday-themed ones, there are endless options for familyfriendly fun. Don't forget to celebrate the winners with small treats or silly prizes!

6. DIY Decorations: Involve your kids in decorating your home for the holidays. From stringing up lights to hanging ornaments, let them take charge of transforming your space into a winter wonderland. Their enthusiasm and creativity will add a special touch to your decorations.

8. Random Acts of Kindness: Teach your children the true spirit of the season by engaging in random acts of kindness. Bake cookies for neighbors, make holiday cards for nursing home residents, or leave small surprises for delivery workers. These acts not only spread joy but also teach empathy and generosity.

9. Puzzle Party: Challenge your family with puzzles and brain teasers. Whether it's a jigsaw puzzle, crossword, or Sudoku, working together to solve these mind-benders can be incredibly rewarding. Plus, it's an excellent way to enhance problemsolving skills in a playful manner.

10. Dance Party Extravaganza: Wrap up your holiday activities with a dance party! Create a playlist of festive tunes and dance like nobody's watching. Let loose, be silly, and enjoy the music together. Dancing not only brings joy but also helps burn off the extra holiday energy!

Remember, the holiday season is all about spending time with loved ones and creating cherished memories. So, embrace the magic of the holidays with these simple and fun activities, and let the laughter and love fill your home with warmth and happiness.

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Setting Goals for the New Year with Children As the new year approaches, many start thinking about New Years resolutions. That can include all the things we didn’t, or weren’t able, to achieve the previous year or new ideas we’d like to achieve. When thinking about our children, and foster children in particular, it’s important to be intentional about creating purposeful and obtainable goals instead of resolutions. Goal setting can be a very helpful skill for all children to learn and practice.

You may have heard of a planning tool called the SMART method. This is a great way to help your child break down large tasks into small steps. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

Children who are placed in foster care often feel lonely, scared, and anxious about their future. Teaching them how to set goals can provide a sense of control over their personal well-being. It can also take the focus off of what they cannot control and allow them to make positive changes even when their life is in a state of uncertainty.

Specific: “I want to get an A in science next semester.”

Setting goals can boost children’s selfesteem when they realize they can accomplish a specific goal and it teaches them how to break larger, more complex tasks into smaller, easy to follow action items.

Some examples of the kinds of goals that children may choose would be: Make new friends at school Join the school basketball team Improve their science grades Read more non-fiction books Learn a new skill like ballet or cooking Get more exercise

SMART GOALS IN ACTION Say your child wants to improve their science grades. Here’s what that may look like:

Measurable: “I need to complete each of my homework assignments every day and get an A on all my tests.”

Attainable: “It may be difficult to get an A, but if I do my homework every night, study for my tests, and ask for help from my teachers, I can do it.”

Relevant: “I want to get an A in science because I’d like to be a science teacher.”

Time-Bound: “I have 12 weeks to improve my science grade because that is when the semester ends.”

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Now, the fun part of helping your children set goals, here are some tips: Sit down with them and brainstorm different goals they want to achieve.

Make a poster, chart, or visual element that will remind them of their goal and the steps they need to take each day or week to meet that goal.

Consider a motivational reward when they take certain steps or meet their final goal. Perhaps they can choose the next movie for family movie night or they can purchase that new toy or video game they’ve been wanting.

Remember, your only role is to guide them as they’re working toward their goal. It can be difficult to stand aside and watch them fail, but they are still learning even if they don’t accomplish what they wanted.

/ The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend/

The Joy of the Holidays

By Lindsey Castellanos, Community Outreach Coordinator

At our Annual Elf party, a car pulled up and two little boys came clamoring out, followed by a clearly overwhelmed and tired mama.

She gave me a weak smile as the kids ran in circles around the parked car. I could hear two more little voices in the back seat asking for snacks and a special lovey that had been lost to the floorboard.

I got their names and loaded unremarkable red bags into their trunk. This sweet mom standing beside me repeated, “This is too much. This is just too much. All they wanted was a little puzzle, or some books, or a lego.

Not all this. You don’t have to to do all this.”

And then the tears started to fall.

I told her we didn’t have her youngest on the list. She said, “He’s only 9 months and he won’t know the difference.” “Oh, but we will,” I explained, as another staff member grabbed a bag and loaded it up with toys for him, too.

She just kept crying and talking. We laughed for a minute about the craziness of four kids at home during the holiday break. We wished we had half their energy. Then this sweet mama told us that she didn’t really have money for other things and special toys the boys wanted. “We took care of all of that,” we assured her. She cried again.

As they all got back in the car, the oldest child, probably 8, with the biggest smile you have ever seen, turned to me and said, “Is this for us? Do I get a gift this year?” And to be honest, I was shocked. What is a given for so many of us, is uncertain for this family. He didn’t know if he would have a gift to open.

Until now. We did that.

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And when I say we, I mean me and you. The giver. The one who thought of children and teens we serve and bought a gift just as nice as if it were for someone in your family. You did this. You gave that mom and hundreds of other families the gifts that they couldn’t.

The energy they couldn’t muster to get to the store because life for their family is much different than they had ever imagined.

The time they couldn’t take off work because now they are the sole provider, or because they have already taken off so much for therapy and other appointments that were necessary to support their children in their healing. The feeling of being seen and cared for when no one knows what has happened.

This is by far my favorite time of year at Child Advocates of Fort Bend. There is something rare and magical about being with children and teens during the holiday season. They see the world with a hopefulness that we as adults are speechless to witness. I have seen dozens of kids squeal with glee at the sight of a new toy that was selected just for them. Of course, all kids are excited by toys.

But our kids and teens. They have seen or experienced things that my adult mind can hardly fathom. They are the ones who have done hard things. Spoken with courage in the face of such adversity. Children we serve continue to maintain the precious light of childhood even after being thrust into circumstances much beyond their ability to understand.

When you donate a toy to a child or teen, by the way teens are most in need, you are allowing us give them these small glimmers of joy. They get to feel the normalcy of having gifts to open and share and talk about with their friends. Or they feel relief that their parents aren’t trying to figure out how to cover the expense of the holiday season on top of all the other things that are now part of their family life.

You probably didn’t think about all those things when you picked up a makeup kit or a Lego set or pair of headphones. You might not have been sure it makes a difference. But it makes all the difference.

And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing our kids to feel seen, heard, important, and loved. You did that.

Without the help of our many faithful donors who continue to come back year after year and provide what’s most needed from bikes to blankets and stuffed animals to gift cards and even special requests from our children and families… our donors are the reason we are able to make the holidays wonderful for so many children. We simply could not do it without the help of our wonderful community. SO, thank you!!!

No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”

-Aesop

/ The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend/

monthly spotlights Training updates and MORE!

THAT’S A WRAP! On November 10, Child Advocates of Fort Bend hosted our Collaboration Conference Caring for Children, Families and Self at Long Acres Ranch. Topics included crossover youth in child welfare and juvenile justice systems and what the data about these youth is telling us, working with children on the autism spectrum, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) what it is and why you need to know, and we closed out our day with a session on kindness and compassion – essential tools for well-being. During our final session, conference attendees were treated to a relaxing sound bath which was an amazing experience.

Did you know? The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Take Me Home” a program designed to improve encounters between law enforcement and individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability such as Alzheimer’s, Autism, Dementia, Down Syndrome, and other special needs. To learn more about this program click here.

THANK YOU to our amazing presenters: Megan Ratto Collective Action for Youth www.ca4y.org Darla Farmer Rowena Laine Hope for Three Autism Advocates www.hopeforthree.org Lacy Starnes (pictured) Child Advocates of Fort Bend Brandie Trigger My Well Family, www.mywellfamily.com

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Case Closing: Celebrating Volunteers For Their Hard Work

By Jennifer Brown, Volunteer Coordinator

On November 30th, our agency came together to honor nine volunteers who worked tirelessly advocating for children and their families during the worst parts of their lives… through their CPS cases.

Once a CPS case is closed and permanency is found for children in a safe and loving home, we think that’s reason to celebrate!

The volunteers who were honored last night- Stevie Irby, Cathy and Gregg Miller, Donna Oveson, Julie Saller, Jennifer Seifert, Hema Swamy, Sheri Walters and Gordon Warren- found themselves listening to what an impact they each made in the lives of the children they so fiercely and lovingly advocated for.

Our Advocacy Specialists (Volunteer Supervisors) stood up and told the room about each volunteer and the role they played. I heard words and descriptions

such as “single handedly changed this child’s future”, “went to war for these children and their family”, “built trust and formed bonds”, “calm and steady”, “worked this case like it was a full-time job” and on and on I heard that because of these volunteers- “kids were able to build connections, find a place they belonged and have a full life in front of them.” There was not a dry eye in the room at one point and there were also lots of laughs. It’s not easy to be in the lives of someone that is in a critically hard place, and our volunteers choose to do it. They stand beside our children and they show up… ready to help at each turn.

We are grateful for these wonderful volunteers who make a difference every day in the lives of others.

As the year comes to a close, many are inspired to make a gift to charities or organizations that are meaningful to them.

Last month, we introduced the launch of our new “Planned Giving” program called the “Forever Angels Legacy Society.” We appreciate those who have already expressed interest in honoring Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) with a legacy gift. For more information, please refer to our website (www.CAFB.org) and the section labeled, “Planned Giving.” We would be happy to assist in any way we can!

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a very popular and effective way to defray taxes during a big income year and to foster a philanthropic spirit within families. An unlimited amount of cash, securities, or appreciated assets can be invested in a DAF. The lump sum is taken as a tax deduction at the time of the deposit, and the irrevocable investment continues to grow tax-free.

Many of our supporters make year-end gifts out of their Donor Advised Fund. Do you have a DAF you have forgotten about? Or would it be a good year-end tax strategy to establish one? CAFB would be honored to be the recipient of a year-end contribution to be used to help us fulfill our mission of strengthening a child’s voice, healing the hurt, and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community.

Our planned giving representative can provide further information and help prepare questions to ask your financial advisor to determine what type of planned gift might be right for you. All planned gift donors will be prominently honored (if they so desire) on our upcoming “Forever Angels Legacy Society” donor wall. We hope you will consider becoming a “Forever Angel” to let your legacy…. become their future.

For more information contact plannedgiving@cafb.org or go to www.cafb.org.

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our needs This month, we have immediate need for: Gift cards New Blankets New stuffed animals Additional items can be found on our WISH LIST

Are you looking for a way to honor or memorialize someone you love?

Your $500 or $1,000 gift can purchase a paver in our front walkway and have it engraved with your personalized message!

(We love reading them as we walk in each day.)

If you have already purchased a paver, we thank you!

Donate online at https://www.cafb.org/donate/purchasing-a-room-or-a-paver/ and someone will contact you to discuss your inscription.

For more information, please contact Lisa Moore at Lmoore@cafb.org

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save these dates December 8 + 9 Christmas Home Tour More info

December 25, 26, 29 and January 1 CAFB Offices Closed

January 23 Youth Mental Health Aid 9am - 2pm Child Advocates of Fort Bend

January 30, 2024 Sip & Stroll 5:30pm - 7pm Contact Lisa at LMoore@cafb.org to reserve your spot

February 13, 2024 Darkness to Light Training 10am - 10m Child Advocates of Fort Bend Office

February 27, 2024 Sip & Stroll 5:30pm - 7pm Contact Lisa at LMoore@cafb.org to reserve your spot

“Life isn't a line but a circle. The ending of each year brings with it a new beginning."

- Anonymous