Cevin Brown, one of the founding members of the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County (CAC), had the honor of cutting the ribbon and officially unveiling the new CAC building that opened a few weeks ago. Photos by Jeff Hogan
LAPEER TWP. – The Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County (CAC) held a grand opening ceremony hosted by the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday at its new 5,000-square-foot building located at 1563 Imlay City Rd. in Lapeer Township.
The celebration was attended by CAC staff, board members, State Senator Kevin Daley and State Representative Phil Green and other dignitaries, including representatives from the community foundation.
“Thank you everyone for your support in making this beautiful building a reality,” said Matt Henry, CEO and Managing Director of CAC.
The CAC was previously located in a small office next to a gas station near the northeast corner of Saginaw and Genesee Streets in Lapeer.
The new building is located about a quarter mile east of Myers Road.
Opened in 2008, CAC was the first organization in Lapeer County to create a non-threatening, child-friendly space for children to share their traumatic experiences related to sexual or physical abuse. Prosecutors, law enforcement, child protective services, and medical personnel worked together, ultimately reducing the number of times the child had to tell and relive their story.
Matt Henry, CEO and executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County, thanked supporters and donors who helped raise about $1.25 million toward the $1.5 million construction cost. About $258,000 still needs to be raised.
In 2009, the organization partnered with other local agencies, including the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalition with SANE-SART Services of Lapeer County and the Lapeer County Council for Children. These ties allowed the center to work with SANE-SART to provide emergency and scheduled forensic evaluations for adult and child victims of sexual violence, as well as launch a community-based prevention program.
Last year, the CAC cared for over 490 children (and their caregivers) who had been sexually abused, severely physically abused, or witnessed a violent crime.
—Jeff Hogan
The new building includes many rooms designed to be welcoming and non-threatening to the children and families who visit the facility.
Behind the entrance doors there is a reception area with a “Be Kind” sign on the wall.
