Nine-year-old “Laura” came to Philadelphia Children’s Alliance just weeks after being hospitalized witha mental health crisis. As with every family who walks through our doors, Laura and her mother were made to feel comfortable and safe. Laura spoke with one of PCA’s specially trained forensic interviewers where she revealed that she had been sexually abused on multiple occasions by her uncle.

A PCA victim advocate also met with Laura and her mother, walking them through the next steps and assuring them that PCA would maintain a relationship with the family to provide counseling and support throughout the process. Laura began trauma-based therapy sessions immediately.

From that day on and to the present, PCA has been there to see this journey of healing and justice to its conclusion.

As the only nationally accredited child advocacy center in the city, PCA serves around 2,000 children and families each year. Their stories — like Laura’s — are all unique, but their need for support is the same. Left untreated, child sexual abuse is the health problem that comes with the most serious array of life-long consequences. To navigate the complexities of each case, PCA works with child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, and medical and mental health agencies to ensure that children receive comprehensive and sensitive treatment in all aspects of the investigation and intervention. Our goal is to ensure that children are equipped with the skills and coping mechanisms they need to move past their trauma.

PCA provides ALL of these services at no cost to the family. For the past three decades,
we have relied on the generoussupport of our community to keep this promise.

As a generous supporters, I am asking that you continue to be leaders in helping

PCA maintain this commitment by making a gift to our Sponsor A Child Annual Fund.

Participating in the annual fund is a direct way to build a lifeline for children who have experienced sexual abuse andtrauma, and ensure that they get the support they need to heal. Conservative costs to provide these services to a child begin at $2,500. In Laura’s case, she and her mother utilized PCA’s full spectrum of services, including a forensic interview, an assigned victim advocate, therapy sessions, a medical exam, and court accompaniment. Laura’s mother – a sexual abuse survivor herself – had trouble navigating her daughter’s abuse and her growing mental health crisis alone. She enrolled in PCA’s Caregiver Support Program, learning tools to deal with her own history so that she could better support her daughter.

Because of supporters like you, Laura and her mother received the highest level of care possible.

To help make a direct impact on the lives of the children and families we serve, please make a donation to support one ormore of our Sponsor A Child giving levels. With your help, PCA can expand our programs and amplify our impact across Philadelphia. Together, we will make the greatest difference.