Child Advocacy Center Archives

Youth Showcase, Auction features rising stars in benefit for Child Advocacy Center

Posted at 5:08 pm April 6, 2016
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Sydney Buckner will perform at the Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

The Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on April 22 will feature rising stars—extremely talented performers in their late teens and early 20s—in a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a press release said.

The Youth Showcase and Auction is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 per child/youth.

“Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy delicious treats, socialize, and browse the silent auction items,” the press release said. The performance begins at 6:45 p.m.

Matt Shafer Powell

Matt Shafer Powell of WUOT-FM will be the master of ceremonies.

“Zach Farrar returns as auctioneer, and will get (the) audience bidding on exciting items such as Disney Park Hopper tickets, a Volunteer Princess Sunset Dinner cruise for two, beautiful quilt, etc., during the performance,” the release said. There will also be a raffle.

All proceeds will be used to provide services for children who have been victims or witnesses of child abuse, neglect, or other crimes. The services are provided by the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. [Read more…]

Photos: Farmers Market, UT Arboretum Society Plant Sale

Posted at 12:22 pm April 18, 2015
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The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opened on Saturday, April 18. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opened for the season on Saturday, April 18. Its the market’s 39th season.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in Historic Jackson Square. It will also be open on Wednesdays beginning May 6.

Here’s what’s new at the market this year: [Read more…]

Youth Showcase, Auction helps Child Advocacy Center on Saturday

Posted at 9:51 pm April 14, 2015
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Submitted photo

The Youth Showcase and Auction on Saturday will benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County.

It’s the second annual event, and it starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge.

“Enjoy live performances by local talented youth, including musicians, singers, dancers, and a magician,” an event flyer said. “Matt Shafer Powell will be our master of ceremonies, and a delicious taco bar and desserts will be provided.” [Read more…]

Child advocacy seminar at Roane State on Thursday

Posted at 12:04 pm June 2, 2014
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People concerned about the community’s children are invited to attend the fourth annual Nurturing and Safe World Child Advocacy Seminar this Thursday, June 5, in the Roane State Community College City Room on the Oak Ridge campus, a press release said.

The seminar will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Ministerial Association and the Oak Ridge Police Chaplains. Robert May of Oak Ridge Police Department Chaplains; Margaret Durgin of the Child Advocacy Center; David Allred, previous coordinator for Safe and Drug Free Schools; and Sarah Littlefield, a marriage and family therapist, will present sessions on the issue of bullying and hostile environments as it relates to children who are affected by this challenging problem.

There is no charge to participate, and lunch will be included. Certificates of Participation will be available for those who need annual training hours.

Pre-registration is required by contacting Myra Mansfield at (865) 220-8826 or by emailing [email protected].

Spotlight: Karry on 4 Kids has new logo

Posted at 1:13 am May 31, 2014
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James Dodson, Jefferson Middle School art teacher, left; Sheila Marczak; Jessica Ammendolia; and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director. (Submitted photo)

The Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, CASA, and private therapist Sheila Marczak have teamed together in an effort to address a special need: Each year, more than 400 children in Anderson County are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Many of these children do not have luggage (a carry-on or duffle bag), and they must carry their belongings in a garbage bag. This is humiliating to a child at a time when they are already so vulnerable.

The goal of Karry on 4 Kids is to provide each child in shelter and foster care with a brand new carry-on (duffle bag, etc.), so that they will never have to move from one location to another with their personal items in trash bags. These bags will be collected and stored at the Child Advocacy Center in Clinton to be distributed as necessary.

Recently, art contributions were requested from students at Jefferson Middle School for a logo. The winning student was eighth-grader Jessica Ammendolia.

An effort has been made with Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools to create an initial supply of bags. However, bags will be collected as an ongoing effort. Through the summertime, bags can be brought to Girls Inc., one of the CASA offices, or the CAC office.

Please email questions and concerns to [email protected].

Guest column: We all have a role to play in ending child abuse

Posted at 12:20 am April 5, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

By Naomi Asher

By the time you finish reading this article, more than 30 cases of child abuse will have been reported to authorities nationwide. By the end of today, that number will swell past 9,000. And four of those children will die at the hands of their abuser. All in a single day.

When we take stock of these sobering statistics during April—National Child Abuse Prevention Month—it’s easy to be overwhelmed and to ask yourself, “What can I possibly do to make a difference?”

The answer is, you can do a lot. Everybody can play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect by becoming advocates for children.

For some of us, that advocacy comes in a formal role. Teachers, child care workers, health care providers and others who come into daily contact with children can be vigilant for signs of abuse and neglect. Their actions to report suspected abuse or to offer extra time and attention to fragile children can do more than make a difference. It can save lives. [Read more…]

Letter: Thank you for helping child abuse victims through Youth Showcase

Posted at 6:56 pm November 17, 2013
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Dear Oak Ridge:

The board and staff of the Child Advocacy Center wish to thank many of the community who helped create a wonderful event on Nov. 2: The Youth Showcase and Auction. The event raised approximately $4,500 to further our mission of combating severe physical and sexual abuse and the resulting trauma by coordinating and providing services to young victims in a child friendly, safe, and nurturing environment.

Many donated their time to our cause. The evening’s master of ceremonies, Matt Shafer Powell of NPR, amused the audience between acts. David Fall, of Stephenson’s auction, prompted audience members to keep bidding and raised $2,200 on the live auction alone. Volunteers Glen Zahn on sound, Adam Bell as stage manager, and Zachary Picketton on lights provided flawless technical support. Terry Silver-Alford, music director of the Clarence Brown Theater, provided musical skills as an accompanist for several of the performers. Not least, the kind folks of High Places Community Church allowed us to use their wonderfully preserved Historic Grove Theater for the performance. [Read more…]

Youth Showcase to benefit Child Advocacy Center on Nov. 2

Posted at 4:21 pm October 16, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Singer/songwriter Taylor Kress will be one of the featured performers at the first Youth Showcase on Nov. 2, a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County. (Submitted photos)

Singing, dancing, and comedy—coupled with great food and celebrity entertainment—will kick off the first Youth Showcase on Nov. 2, a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County.

The fundraiser for CACACT will feature some of the area’s most talented youth, a press release said. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the High Places Community Church in Historic Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

The young performers include ballet dancer Taylor Gober and singer/songwriters Nic Cagle, Taylor Kress (who has also appeared on WDVX), and Lara Manning. Two voice majors from UT, Breyon Lattrell Wess and Taylor Stone, and other local singers Maddie and Sydney Buckner will also perform. [Read more…]