Advocacy Center receives community leadership award alongside state counterparts
The recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Awards.
In an evening ceremony Sept. 21, the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas was recognized for its efforts on behalf of child victims of physical and sexual abuse across Texas.
Recognized by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the 32nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards and the OneStar Foundation, CACTX joins a select group of individuals, groups and organizations honored for a significant and measurable contribution to their communities.
“The power of the public-private partnerships our membership has established at 69 different children’s advocacy centers across the state cannot be overstated. Through these intricate collaborations, our network is able to provide much needed assistance to nearly 40,000 Texas children every year who have been subjected to heartbreaking abuse,” said Joy Hughes Rauls, executive director of CACTX.
“We are grateful to our partners across the state, law enforcement, CPS, prosecution, medical and mental health providers and volunteers, who have joined this collective vision of justice and healing for the smallest of victims.”
Van Zandt County Children’s Advocacy Center officials said they, too, were grateful for the recognition.
“In Van Zandt County the children’s advocacy center provides crucial services to over 130 children a year. Without the support of our local partnerships with Criminal District Attorney Chris Martin, Van Zandt County Sheriff Lindsay Ray, Child Protective Services, and the Grand Saline, Van, Canton, Edgewood and Wills Point Police Departments, the positive impact we are making on our community would not be possible” said Theresa Pirtle-Leftwich, interim executive director of the VZCCAC.
