Support Center for Child Advocates

⚽🌎 The FIFA World Cup excitement has officially taken over our office!

Check out our staff’s World Cup predictions and some photos of the FIFA fun happening around the office! 🏆

Will our predictions be spot on or completely offside? 🤔 Let us know in the comments if you agree (or disagree!) with our picks, and share who you’re rooting for to bring home the trophy.

Year by year, the Support Center of Child Advocates continues to assist more children and youth. As the fiscal year comes to a close, we are asking for donors to make a contribution to help us fund this crucial work.

To make a donation please visit: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/SupportCenterForChildAdvocates

Child Advocates Director of Intake and Pro Bono Beth Perez and Child Advocate Social Worker Dan McVay joined Blank Rome’s Firm Directors, where they discussed the trauma-informed work of Child Advocates and helped fill Court Bags for Child Advocates Case Handlers and Volunteers to bring to court for younger clients! Over 300 bags were filled with coloring books, crayons, tissues, hand sanitizer, fidgets, and stickers!

We are grateful for the support from Blank Rome and look forward to working with their Summer Associates next week, who will be assembling court bags for our older youth!

Happy National Hug an Attorney Day! 🤗

Today, we're sending virtual hugs to all of our incredible staff and volunteer attorneys who work tirelessly to advocate for children and amplify their voices when they need it most. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment help ensure that every child has the opportunity to be heard, supported, and protected.

Side note: No hugs should be "entered into evidence" without "prior consent."😆⚖️

We all have opportunities to notice and name strengths in the people around us.

Being strengths-based isn't something we either are or aren't. It's a skill we can continue to practice. And it can start by paying attention to strengths as intentionally as we pay attention to challenges.

We'll be diving deeper into the topic of Strengths Based Engagement with our volunteers at next week's Brown Bag training, but it's something all of us can practice every day. In the meantime, we'd love to learn from you:

What's one way you help people feel seen and valued?

What's a strength you've noticed in someone recently? Give them a shoutout in the comments and tag them below!

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive - and that is only possible because of supporters like you.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we served more than 930 children this year, and we remain committed to reaching even more children and families in need. As our fiscal year comes to a close on June 30, we invite you to make a special year-end gift and help ensure that children who have experienced abuse and neglect continue to receive the advocacy, resources, and support they deserve.

Donations can be made at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/SupportCenterForChildAdvocates

Last week, we were in Harrisburg for the anti-trafficking bill day press conference. Dalilah spoke in support of anonymous victims who signed a letter to the recently formed Human Trafficking Caucus by the PA House and Senate, urging the inclusion of survivors, allies, and advocates throughout the legislative process.

This advocacy day on June 2nd included a press conference, a survivor-created art installation, and one-on-one meetings with legislators. We hope that the actions of Dalilah and others have encouraged the PA House and Senate to invite survivors to the table, to reach a more collaborative solution to ending Human Trafficking.

If you would like to learn more, visit PATrafficking.org.

Our LGBTQ+ Youth Project is this month's Program Spotlight.

The youth project was created to remedy the marginalization of a client population in need of distinct advocacy and policy representation. We provide consultation services, conduct training sessions on how to support LGBTQ+ youth, and lead systemic change to improve the system of care in our area.

Last year, we represented over 25 clients who identified as LGBTQ+ and consulted with volunteer attorneys, staff lawyers, and staff social workers to address legal and social service needs.

📢 Save the Date 📢

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of high-stakes fun at our Masquerade Casino Night fundraiser on Thursday, October 15 at from 6–9 PM 🎭✨

Guests will enjoy an open bar, light bites, exciting casino games, music, raffle prizes, an auction, and more - all in support of our mission to advocate for and empower children and families in our community.

Grab your masks and join us for a night where every hand played helps make a difference. Sponsorship opportunities and full event details coming soon - stay tuned! 🎲♠️♥️

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨

Meet Akanksha, one of our dedicated Child Advocate Social Workers who has been part of the SCCA team for a little over two years!

One of Akanksha's favorite parts of her work is building relationships with children and witnessing their growth as they overcome challenges and obstacles. She finds it incredibly inspiring to see the resilience of her clients and the ways they create opportunities for themselves despite difficult circumstances.

What motivates her most about SCCA's mission is the opportunity to advocate for children and help create safe environments where they can thrive. She is passionate about meeting young people where they are, listening to their needs, and ensuring their voices are heard so they can have agency in their own lives.

Something people may not realize about her role is just how much documentation goes into the work. Child Advocate Social Workers are constantly recording important information and thoughtfully considering what is in the best interest of each child to help ensure they receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

Fun fact: Outside of work, Akanksha loves watching TV and is always cycling through a new favorite ice cream flavor! 🍦📺

Thank you, Akanksha, for your commitment to empowering children and helping them build brighter futures. 💙