Woodbury, New Jersey– The Child Advocacy Center of Gloucester County has partnered with members of the community to create a non-profit organization, the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center of Gloucester County.
The non-profit consists of volunteers from the community who partner with staff from the Child Advocacy Center by raising funds and promoting awareness to better assist and support victims of child abuse and their families.
The Child Advocacy Center, located at 47 Cooper Street, Woodbury, New Jersey, works closely with the non-profit to provide critical services for victims and families. Resources include education, prevention, and addressing impacted families' economic and emotional needs.
The non-profit was created in September of 2021 and has hosted fundraising opportunities at local restaurants, including Chick-fil-A, 621 Woodbury Glassboro Road, Sewell, New Jersey, and the Village Pub, 139 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell, New Jersey.
The Child Advocacy Center opened in 2017, supported by grant funds obtained through the N.J. Department of Children and Families. The Child Advocacy Center serves the children of Gloucester County by addressing approximately 400 allegations of abuse and/or neglect a year.
As an Accredited Member of the National Children’s Alliance, the Child Advocacy Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.
On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the Woodbury City Police Department hosted the first annual 5K Run/Walk/Roll Against Bullying. School Resource Officer Ryan Alcott of the Woodbury Police Department initiated and organized this event because he wanted to raise awareness of bullying, which he knew through his duties can be very prevalent amongst the youth in schools.
Officer Alcott and the event organizers graciously donated all the funds raised from the run/walk/roll to the Child Advocacy Center. These funds will support the victims and families served through the Child Advocacy Center.
On July 14, 2022, members of the Woodbury Police Department, Woodbury Mayor and City Council members, along with Gloucester County Commissioners, visited the Child Advocacy Center as the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center of Gloucester County non-profit was presented with a check for $2310 raised from the 5K Run/Walk/Roll.
Chief Thomas Ryan and Officer Ryan Alcott of the Woodbury City Police Department presented the donation, along with Woodbury City Mayor Peg Sickle and CouncilpersonFran Harwell.
Present to receive the donation were board members of the non-profit; Vice President Kelli Marro, Treasurer Chelsea Porter, Trustees Prosecutor Christine Hoffman, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dianna Reed-Rolando, Lieutenant Stacie Lick, and Forensic Nurse Coordinator Eileen Caraker. Also on hand to signify their continuing support of and interest in the mission of the Child Advocacy Center were Gloucester Commissioner Director Frank DiMarco and Commissioners Jim Jefferson and NickDeSilvio.
With the Child Advocacy Center serving approximately 400 children per year, they are grateful for partnerships with the community, which allow them to raise funds to assist in education, prevention and to enhance investigative capabilities regarding child abuse allegations.
The Child Advocacy Center is very appreciative of the continuing support from municipalities and their police departments in Gloucester County and the Gloucester County Commissioners, all of whom contribute to the Child Advocacy Center’s success and sustainability in serving victimized children within Gloucester County.