Last Friday we got to hear about the Children's Advocacy Network, formerly known as CASA, as Clairice Hetzler was our speaker. The Advocacy Network for Children, formerly known as Children's Action Network, is a not for profit organization. This organization began after the Exchange Club provided $5,000 as seed money.

Established in 1990 as a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Adams County, the agency focused on the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers who speak in the best interest of abused or neglected children in the court system. As the agency broadened its mission to serve abused children in the community, it opened its doors of the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in Adams County in 1999. They serve a 9 county area.

When Clairice began 17 years ago there were some 60 to 80 children helped. This year there will be over 500 children assisted by her office. Over her tenure at the Network, there have been over 4000 children involved with sexual abuse cases. She would like to see more people step up and report child abuse when they see it. It is a problem in that they don't want to get involved.

According the Clairice, to help kids you have to help their parents first. And as a result her agency will be hosting a Parenting Conference at JWCC in March that will feature a dozen or so organizations.

Funding is also a problem especially with the State of Illinois is lagging in their payments to the agency. A major fundraiser will be held on February 28th featuring a huge Mardi Gras party at the Ambiance and will also include auction items as well.

They currently have a fundraiser going on at the Quincy Mall as they will wrap your Christmas presents for a small fee which goes to the Children's Advocacy Network.

Thanks to Mel Dillman, who holds a special place in his heart for this organization, for providing the introduction.