Lake Sumter Children's Advocacy Center

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LAKE SUMTER CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER

We can't change what happened, but we can change what happens next. We need your support!

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HELP PREVENT FURTHER CHILD ABUSE

KNOW THE SIGNS OF ABUSE

Prevent further child abuse by knowing the signs and raising awareness in your community.

Our Next Bids for Kids Annual Fundraiser will be March 6-8, 2025

Our next Bids for Kids fundraiser auction will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025. The online portion of our auction will open on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

QUICK LINKS:
Register to Bid at the Auction
Become a Sponsor
Donate Auction Items
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Donate Now

Without your support, we would not be able to continue offering our services free of charge to the community. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and commitment to the children of Lake and Sumter counties.

Financial contributions made to the Lake Sumter Children's Advocacy Center are tax deductible. All donations are used to provide direct services to child victims of abuse in Lake and Sumter Counties.

This is a place that believes kids - quote from 11 year old child

Jasmine's Story

Jasmine is an 11-year-old child who came to our CAC after she talked to her teacher at school about "not feeling good" and "hurting." Note: Names and details have been changed to protect the identity of this child victim.
The teacher reported the incident to the Florida Child Abuse Hotline. Jasmine was brought to the CAC by a member of Law Enforcement and a Department of Children and Families Caseworker.
Jasmine spoke to an interviewer and disclosed that she had been a victim of sexual abuse from her stepfather for a period of 2 years - and no one had believed her - not her sister, not her mother, not her grandmother.
After her medical exam, Jasmine walked over to one of the staff and held up 3 fingers. "Do you see this?" she said, "This is how many people FINALLY believe me." She proceeded to name the 3 staff members she had spoken to at our Center.
The end of this story is that Jasmine's stepfather was arrested and prosecuted. Jasmine said, "He's going to jail because this is a place that believes kids."

Know the Signs

Prevent child abuse by knowing the signs and raising awareness.

Report Child Abuse

Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at www.myflfamilies.com.

Common Myths

Many common beliefs about child abuse are completely false. Learn the truth.

"This Place Believes Kids"

Read a case study about an 11-year-old child who came to our CAC.

ABOUT US

We can't change what happened, but we can change what happens next.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the Lake Sumter Children's Advocacy Center is to provide a child-friendly, community-based facility where a child victim can be safely interviewed, provided with crisis counseling, receive medical exams and long-term specialized therapy, when needed. We work together with agency representatives to provide child abuse victims with all necessary services in a single location.

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Our Services

All services are provided at no charge.

COUNSELING & THERAPY

We offer crisis counseling, long-term, group and family therapy. Anyone can refer a child to our counseling program.

CHILD PROTECTION TEAM

We provide forensic and specialized interviews, medical exams and psycho-social assessments in coordination with DCF and Law Enforcement.

VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM

We are forming a group of trained volunteers who provide comprehensive, coordinated victim support and advocacy services.

Get Involved with our CAC

Despite our best efforts, child abuse continues to occur. We greatly appreciate any support you can offer in this very important effort for the children of Lake and Sumter Counties.

HOW TO HELP

If you'd like to help in any way, you can call us at (352) 323-8303 or email us at info@cac4kids.org. Financial contributions and donations of items to the Lake Sumter Children's Advocacy Center are tax deductible. Our Center is a 501 (c)(3) private non-profit agency.

VOLUNTEER

We rely on the support of volunteers during the Christmas season and for our reception desk. We are also seeking volunteers for our Victim Advocate Program.

"STOP CHILD ABUSE" LICENSE PLATE

When you purchase a "Stop Child Abuse" license plate, you help publicize the need to stop child abuse while supporting every CAC in the state of Florida.

DONATE ITEMS

We greatly appreciate donations of items used for child therapy sessions and the daily operations of the CAC, as well as gifts for our annual Children's Christmas Party. We have wishlists on Target and Amazon.

SPONSOR A CHILD

The CAC offers the opportunity to sponsor a child's therapy and this support helps us provide our services at no charge to the child victim and non-offending family members. Click the button below to donate now by Paypal or credit card.

BIDS 4 KIDS: ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

We hold an annual fundraiser called "Bids 4 Kids" to raise operating funds for the entire year. We are always seeking sponsors and auction items for this event. Next event: 3/6 to 3/8/25

GET INVOLVED WITH OUR CAC