Philadelphia Children’s Alliance Hosts Impactful Event with Legislators to Address Child Abuse

Press Release

Philadelphia Children’s Alliance Hosts Impactful Event with Legislators to Address Child Abuse

Philadelphia, PA – October 11, 2023 – Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA), a leading organization dedicated to providing healing and justice for children and families affected by sexual abuse, hosted its annual legislative breakfast, featuring distinguished speakers and key stakeholders from Pennsylvania’s leadership.

The event was held at PCA's facility, and attendees had the opportunity to participate in guided tours before and after the program. Spearheaded by Benita Williams, PCA Executive Director, the event featured prominent speakers who addressed crucial aspects of child welfare and protection. Notable speakers included Samuel B. Harrison III, Deputy Commissioner for Child Welfare Operations; Captain Margo Alleyne-Parker from the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit; Dana Masciantonio from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office; Dr. Norrell K. Atkinson and Dr. Colleen E. Bennett from Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, respectively; Carlyn Crawley from the Office of Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada; and a PCA Parent.

In 2023, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance provided critical support to 1,674 child victims of abuse and their families throughout Philadelphia. Executive Director Benita Williams, stated, “This event brings legislators from across the state to learn more about the important work we do. Our collaborative efforts with various stakeholders across Philadelphia ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing child sexual abuse and its aftermath.”

For more information about Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and their impactful work, please visit www.PhilaChildrensAlliance.org.

Contact:

Kae Schipper (they/them)

Philadelphia Children’s Alliance

kschipper@philachildrensalliance.org

About Philadelphia Children’s Alliance:

Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing safety, healing, justice, and prevention for children and families affected by violence and abuse. Through a collaborative and comprehensive approach, PCA serves as a beacon of hope, supporting children on their path to recovery and advocating for the prevention of child abuse. For more information, visit www.PhilaChildrensAlliance.org.

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Sign up for our virtual workshop "Healing Your Inner Child: Parenting after Child Sexual Abuse as A Survivor," on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 12:30pm. This virtual workshop aims to create a space for parent survivors who may be triggered while helping their child cope with their child’s sexual abuse disclosure. Participants will learn how to activate their coping skills by learning tips to heal their inner child. Registration is free and available online at tinyurl.com/PCAInnerChild #caregiversupport #innerchild #healing #zoomworkshop #lunchandlearn #endchildsexabuse
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Thank you to our corporate and foundation sponsors, who join with us to support the most vulnerable children in Philadelphia. We are so grateful for your commitment, which truly changes lives every day. We can’t wait to see you next year! #bearaffair #endchildsexabuse #corporatesponsors
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We are still in awe of the impact and success of last week’s Bear Affair. We raised over $332,000 and celebrated our mission with over 400 people from our growing community -- and we had so much fun doing it! Thank you again to our friends from the @philadelphiaeagles, especially Dave Spadaro (@theeaglesinsider ) and Jordan Mailata (@jordanmailata ),as well as our event chairs and our entire Bear Affair Committee. For more photos, visit philachildrensalliance.org/ba2024 and most importantly, don’t forget to Save The Date for next year’s party on May 1, 2025! #gobirds #bearaffair #endchildsexabuse
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There’s so much to say (and we will absolutely say it), but for today, we will simply say THANK YOU. #bearaffair #endchildsexabuse
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We are so excited to give you a sneak peak at some of the items that we will have for sale tomorrow night at the Bear Affair. We can't wait for you to see it in person! #swag #bearaffair #gobirds #everychilddeservestofly #eaglescarepartner
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Hello, friends! With the Bear Affair just two days away, it's time to get ready for the celebration! Here are our top 5 tips to prepare for the night, all which you can do at bearaffair.org! #bearaffair #fundraiser #dogood #gobirds #endchildsexabuse
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We are so excited to present our first Bear Affair “Stock the Bar” Raffle! This is your chance to win an amazing selection of wine and spirits hand-picked by members of our Board of Directors and our Bear Affair Committee (valued at over $2,000 and growing)! The winner will receive every bottle in the collection as well as the bar cart (valued at $250). No limit. Must be 21+ to enter. Get your raffle tickets at bearaffair.org #bearaffair #shopforgood #stockthebar #gobirds
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Coming all the way from Australia, @jordanmailata and @theeaglesinsider, Dave Spadaro, didn’t want to miss sending everyone one last message to join us for Thursday’s Bear Affair at Lincoln Financial Field. Go to bearaffair.org for tickets, to start bidding on silent auction items (whether you’ll be at the party or not), and to learn more! #gobirds #bearaffair #endchildsexabuse #endchildabuse
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The Bear Affair is just ONE WEEK AWAY and it's time to start the party early with our silent auction! We have a spectacular assortment of items — weekends away, gourmet dining, fine wines and spirits, sports outings, and some truly impressive instruments. There really is something for everyone. To start bidding, simply go to bearaffair.org, register, and start browsing. Shop early and often — items will be added every day until our event! LET THE BIDDING BEGIN! #silentauction #bearaffair #shopforgood
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Today, we proudly joined the Crimes Victims Alliance of Pennsylvania for their annual Crime Victims Rights Rally and Summit at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Dedicated to giving voice to victims and survivors, it was incredible to come together with our colleagues and community from across the state. Speakers included former ADA and current Philadelphia Victim Advocate, Adara Combs, as well of Father Paul Abernathy, Founder and CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project. Scroll through to see photos, including: (One) Vickie Melvin, Associate Director; Genevie Brown, Manager of Intake and Prevention Services; Nuria Orsino, Manager of Victim Services; Sharon Rice, Program Manager; Rayna Smaller, Caregiver Support Coordinator; Zuleika Vazquez, Court Support Program Coordinator (Two) Artwork featured by The Apologues, an organization whose mission to tell the stories of survivors, especially survivors of gun violence, substance abuse, and domestic violence. #childabusepreventionmonth #endchildsexabuse #community #antiviolence #survivors
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On Saturday, we presented our Stewards of Children® training at Dare to Imagine Church in Mount Airy. Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities. During the training, we also presented Marquita Neal, Dare to Imagine Church’s Director of Outreach and Community Services with a Champions in Prevention Award in honor of their partnership and participation in the work we do. Thank you to Vickie Melvin, our Associate Director, and Genevie Brown, our Manager of Intake and Prevention Services, for facilitating the training, and all those who attended for participating.
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Here’s Dave Spadaro – the best Eagles Insider and the host of the Bear Affair – inviting you to the 2024 Bear Affair in just 10 days! Get your tickets now at bearaffair.org and we will see you there! #bearaffair #endchildsexabuse #nonprofit #gobirds #flyeaglesfly
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We are so excited for this shopping event at J.McLaughlin in Chestnut Hill! Join our lovely board members, Mary Dronson and Evelyn Devine, for sips and spring shopping on Saturday, April 27th. 15% of all sales benefit PCA. Can't make it but still want to shop? Call the store (267.297.5736) and they will provide FREE shipping straight to your door. Thank you so much, J.McLaughlin. We can't wait! #shopforgood #endchildsexabuse #endchildabuse #chestnuthill
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We are so excited to introduce you to the third chair of our Bear Affair committee, Tanya Pecorari Marschall! Tanya would love to meet you at the 2024 Bear Affair on May 2nd -- so get your tickets today at bearaffair.org! @tanya_pec #youreinviited #bearaffair #endchildabuse #nationalchildabuseawarenessmonth #childabuseawareness #prevention
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Say hello to Kate Boland, one of our amazing chairs for this year’s Bear Affair! We couldn’t pull off this event without our three chairs on our side every step of the way. Take Kate’s word for it and get your tickets today at bearaffair.org! @kemboland #youreinviited #bearaffair #endchildabuse #nationalchildabuseawarenessmonth #childabuseawareness #prevention
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We are so excited to share this special event led by Succor, Inc, an incredible organization co-founded by our very own Crime Victims Advocate, Victoria Ginns. On Friday, April 19, Succor will host a Community Baby Shower in collaboration with Raymour and Flanigan Furniture in Plymouth Meeting, PA from 10:30AM - 2PM Join them for good company, resources, refreshments, games and gifts for all who attend at no cost. Items will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Find out more and follow them on @succorinc2007 and on Facebook@succor inc.
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Thank you to our friends at PHL17 for stopping by PREVENT 2024: Building Alliances Against Child Sex Abuse at Braid Mill last Thursday. We had an amazing day filled with community, new connections, and dynamic conversations. We can’t wait to share photos and more with you later this week, but in the meantime, take a look at this clip and listen to our Executive Director, Benita Williams, share about the day. Link in bio!
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On Friday, we celebrated the impact of PCA and honored National Child Abuse Prevention Month with our annual Pinwheel Planting. Guests and Staff covered the green space at PCA with over 2,000 blue pinwheels to represent the children we served this year. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped us spread the light and love of a child's healing journey with PCA. Together, we continued to help us grow awareness around the reality of child sex abuse in Philadelphia. Pictured left to right in first photo: Genevie Brown, Manager of Intake & Prevention Services, Benita Williams, Executive Director, Lateefah Shakir from Senator Sharif Street’s office, and Vickie Melvin, Associate Director. #endchildsexabuse #childabusepreventionmonth #prevention #pinwheels
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Due to the forecast, we are RESCHEDULING our annual Pinwheel Planting for Friday, April 5th at 11AM. We hope to see you there!
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month – a time to raise awareness and rally around prevention efforts surrounding child abuse. *** Save the dates below if you would like to join us at any of these events and most importantly, please spread the word! #prevention #childabuseawareness #pinwheelsforprevention #endchildabuse #endchildsexabuse
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We are one week away from our PREVENT 2024: Building Alliances Against Child Sexual Abuse at Braid Mill in Germantown. If you are looking to join the conversation around the prevention of child sex abuse, register today and we will see you on April 2, from 9AM – 4PM! Find out more and reserve your tickets at philachildrensalliance.org/prevent2024 #endchildsexabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #endchildabuse #nationalchildabusepreventionmonth #prevent2024 ***Please note: Special thanks to CHOP Department of Social Work for sponsoring CEU credits for social workers who attend and to Foundation For Health Equity for their generous support of our event. Social Work Accreditation Statement: Licensed Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Professional Counselor Statement: CHOP is a pre-approved provider of continuing education credits for Pennsylvania Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Participants licensed in Pennsylvania who attend the full program and complete the required evaluations are eligible for 5.0 Continuing Education Credits. Participants licensed in other states should check with local licensing boards to determine continuing education approval.
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We LOVE when we get to host tours at PCA and talk about the work that we are all so passionate about. It was especially sweet to have the team from AIG join us this week. They asked incredible questions about our therapy programs, community outreach, how staff manages their own stress in their professional roles, and ways that their organization can get even more involved to have an even greater impact on the children of Philadelphia -- and they even brought lunch for our whole staff! AIG is a generous sponsor of annual events and we can’t wait to see some of their team again at the Bear Affair on May 2nd. Thank you, AIG!
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A huge thank you to our friends at Janney, especially Joe Culley, the Vice Chair of our Board of Directors at PCA. Joe and Janney have been dedicated supporters of our mission for years and last night their Capital Markets Group raised over $4,000 to help us continue to support victims of child sex abuse. Thank you, Joe and Janney, for being great partners and great friends! Pictured here: L-R, Joseph Culley, Jr, Amy Leach, PCA's Director of Development and Communications and Vickie Melvin, PCA’s Associate Director) #thankyou #gratitudepost #phillynonprofit #philadelphia #endchildsexabuse
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We celebrated Bring Your Child to Work Day early this year! We had an awesome day together, assembling pinwheels in preparation for April’s month-long celebration of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pinwheels are a symbol of childhood and are used across the country to represent the resilience and the bright futures of children. Our young guests learned more about the work we do here to support kids in our community and of course had lots of fun in the process! #childabuseprevention #bringyourchildtoworkday #prevention #pinwheels
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We are so excited to introduce you to two more of our panelists for PREVENT 2024: Building Alliances Against Child Sexual Abuse. Vickie Melvin, MSW, LSW, our Associate Director, oversees all programming at PCA with a strategic eye toward Multi-Disciplinary Team Collaboration and stability. She ensures that PCA delivers exceptional Intake, Forensic, Victim Support and Clinical Services to all children and families presented with allegations of sexual abuse. Genevie Brown, M.Ed is our Intake Manager & Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), with almost 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is passionate about prevention education and its potential to reduce or eliminate the risk of sexual abuse for children and the long-term effects that the abuse would have on that child and their family. To read their full bios, visit our PREVENT event page at philachildrensalliance.org/prevent2024 and don’t forget to register today for this free, incredible event on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 9AM at Braid Mill in Germantown. #prevent2024 #philadelphiachildrensalliance#socialwork #ceu #philadelphiasocialwork #braidmill ***Please note: Special thanks to CHOP Department of Social Work for sponsoring CEU credits for social workers who attend and to Foundation For Health Equity (@healthequityphilly) for their generous support of our event. Social Work Accreditation Statement: Licensed Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Professional Counselor Statement: CHOP is a pre-approved provider of continuing education credits for Pennsylvania Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Participants licensed in Pennsylvania who attend the full program and complete the required evaluations are eligible for 5.0 Continuing Education Credits. Participants licensed in other states should check with local licensing boards to determine continuing education approval.
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Last year, Jordan Mailata, the offensive tackle for the Eagles and Dave Spadaro, our great friend and Eagles Insider, pulled the golden ticket winner during our live auction. Will they do it again this year? There's only one way to find out! Join us on Thursday, May 2 at Lincoln Financial Field for the 2024 Bear Affair. Get your tickets today at bearaffair.org #bearaffair #gobirds #endchildsexabuse #philly #nonprofit #fundraising #eaglesoffense #eaglesinsider
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We are so excited to introduce two of our panelists for PREVENT 2024: Building Alliances Against Child Sexual Abuse. Alissa R. Graves, MSW, LSW is the Director of Specialty Investigations for the Department of Human Services. She began her career with DHS in 2003 and has spent over two decades in support of the healing and justice of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable children. Alissa is dedicated to her work, her staff, and the families we all serve. Rayna Smaller, LSW is PCA’s own Family Advocate, Caregiver Support Group Coordinator and the founder of BrownGirl SPACE. She is committed to promoting mental health wellness and self-care for children and is passionate about expanding PCA’s capacity to support our children and our families. To read their full bios, visit our PREVENT event page at philachildrensalliance.org/prevent2024 and don’t forget to register today for this free, incredible event on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 9AM at Braid Mill in Germantown. #prevent2024 #philadelphiachildrensalliance #socialwork #ceu #philadelphiasocialwork #braidmill *** Please note: Special thanks to CHOP Department of Social Work for sponsoring CEU credits for social workers who attend and to Foundation For Health Equity (@healthequityphilly ) for their generous support of our event. Social Work Accreditation Statement: Licensed Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Professional Counselor Statement: CHOP is a pre-approved provider of continuing education credits for Pennsylvania Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Participants licensed in Pennsylvania who attend the full program and complete the required evaluations are eligible for 5.0 Continuing Education Credits. Participants licensed in other states should check with local licensing boards to determine continuing education approval.
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We are so excited to share the news that John P. Delaney, Jr, a founding member of our Board of Directors and our current Governance Committee Chair, has been awarded the illustrious Ring on Honor to lead today's St. Patrick's Day Parade! John is truly one of a kind and the support that he has given to PCA alongside his wife, Beth, has made an immeasurable impact on children who have been impacted by sexual abuse. Thank you, John and Beth, for being a part of the PCA family. We can't wait to see you march! Read the full press release at philachildrensalliance.org/press-releases #phillystpatricksparade #endchildsexabuse #endchildabuse #civicadvocate #localhero
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Registration is now open online for our virtual, "Healing Your Inner Child: Parenting After Child Sexual Abuse as a Survivor" caregiver workshop. Join us for an engaging, supportive conversation that is open to all. To find out more and to register, click the link in our bio.
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Check out this delightful message from Evelyn Rodriguez Devine, one of our chairs for this year’s Bear Affair. We’re so grateful to have three chairs this year who are helping us plan, execute, and spread the word. Get your tickets today at bearaffair.org!
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Next month, members of our PCA team will join Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy (@pcva.phila) in observation of National Crime Victims Rights Week, including their annual Candle Lighting Ceremony on 4/24/24 at City Hall. Please consider joining us as we remember and honor victims of crime and violence and take a stand against all types of violence in our communities. #pcva #nationalcrimevictimsrightsweek #NCVRW #community #awareness #honor #hope #victimsrights #victimservices #philadelphia
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Meet our new Manager of Clinical Services, Katharine Wenocur! Katharine manages our trauma clinicians, Child Victims of Human Trafficking Assessment Coordinator, Bilingual Clinical Case Manager, and internship students from local universities. She is also an affiliate faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University, where she teaches and advises students training to become play therapists. Welcome to PCA, Katharine! We're so glad you are here! #welcome #newstaff #pca #nonprofit #philadelphia #endchildsexabuse
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Our much-anticipated Bear Affair on Thursday, May 2 at the Linc features both a live and silent auction. Check out a preview of live auctions items and get your tickets for our fundraiser today at bearaffair.org! #itsyourbusinessphilly #havefundogood #nonprofit #fundraiser #endchildsexualabuse #endchildabuse #endchildsexabuse
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Join us on March 27 at 6:30PM for "Healing Your Inner Child: Parenting After Child Sexual Abuse as a Survivor." This virtual caregiver workshop aims to create space for parent survivors who are helping their child cope with sexual abuse. Participants will develop coping skills to help heal their inner child. ��Registration is free and open to the general public.�� Sign up today by emailing Rayna Smaller at rsmaller@philachildrensalliance.org�
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Last week, we collected almost 2,000 stuffed animals from our friend John Spadola, PetSmart Store Leader, and his team. These brand new, adorable plushies are making their way into our offices to bring joy and comfort to kids for days (and days and days!) to come. Thank you, John, and thank you to everyone who worked to pack and safely store this incredible donation. #petsmartcares #bearaffair #stuffedanimals #endchildsexabuse #inkinddonations #dogood
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Attention! We are officially T-70 days until the 2024 Bear Affair at Lincoln Financial Field! Don’t miss this amazing event, featuring special guests (like our friend, Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro and our favorite mascot, Swoop, pictured above), delicious food, silent and live auctions, and more. Have fun. Do good. Change lives. Get your tickets at bearaffair.org #bearaffair #countdown #endchildsexabuse #lincolnfinancialfield #gobirds #dogood
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Each April, we plant pinwheels to continue to raise awareness around child sexual abuse. Please save the date for April 2 at 12PM and join us as we spread light and healing for child victims across our city during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Find out more at philachildrensalliance.org/preventionmonth #childabusepreventionmonth #endchildsexabuse #strongertogether #pinwheels #healing #hope #savethedate #phillyevents
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Thanks to the generous support of the Department of Social Work at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we’re offering FREE CEU credits to social workers who attend this year’s PREVENT Conference. Interested in learning more? Register today at philachildrensalliance.org/prevent2024 or email our Program Manager, Sharon Rice at srice@philachildrensalliance.org to find out more! Social Work Accreditation Statement: Licensed Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Professional Counselor Statement: CHOP is a pre-approved provider of continuing education credits for Pennsylvania Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Participants licensed in Pennsylvania who attend the full program and complete the required evaluations are eligible for 5.0 Continuing Education Credits. Participants licensed in other states should check with local licensing boards to determine continuing education approval.
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In our PCA Word of the Day series, we ask staff members to share words that they would use to describe Philadelphia Children’s Alliance. Our first word of the day is "HOPEFUL." “PCA is really a hopeful place. We work together with our families to bring hope for recovery and healing in some of the darkest times, to make room for all the light that is to come.” To learn more about the work we do, visit us at philachildrensalliance.org #hope #healing #recovery #philadelphiachildrensalliance
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Calling all parents, child and youth leaders, teachers, and youth and family service professionals! Join us for our annual PREVENT Conference on Thursday, April 4 from 9AM – 4PM at Braid Mill in Germantown. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to interact with colleagues, experts, and caregivers in candid conversation around prevention, recovery, and healing from child sexual abuse. Registration is FREE and open now at philachildrensalliance.org/prevent-2024
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Did you know that over 800 human trafficking cases were filed in Pennsylvania in the last five years? At PCA, we know the impact this abuse has on our children. Nilsa Ulerio, MHP (pictured) is our Bilingual Child Victims of Human Trafficking (CVHT) Program Coordinator at PCA. Nilsa is one of the only clinicians in the region providing trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy specialized for child victims of human trafficking. The work that she does to support these victims directly impacts their healing and recovery. For more information on Human Trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org #humantrafficking #humantraffickingawarenessmonth #itsyourbusinessphilly
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Thank you to The Philadelphia Foundation for generously donating $30,000 to PCA at the end of 2023. The Philadelphia Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting our community and they have been an amazing partner in our fight against child sexual abuse. We are so grateful for all they do. Find out more about the The Philadelphia Foundation and their work at philafound.org #stopchildsexabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #gratitude #philadelphiafoundation
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Don’t forget to join us this Thursday for our free virtual caregiver workshop – Keeping Kids Safe Online. We will talk about how to set boundaries for your children’s internet activities and learn what to do and who to go to if you need support. Limited spots are available, so register now at the link in our bio! #keepkidssafe #internetsafety #onlineworkshop #virtuallunchandlunch #lunchandlearn #endchildsexabuse
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Thank you to Madelyn Morrison and nadeen herring from The Bryson Institute of The Attic Youth Center for providing our staff (alongside a few members of the Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center) an incredible LGBTQ 101: Creating Safe & Inclusive Spaces training this month. The Attic Youth Center is one of our 23 mental health partners who provides trauma informed clinical treatment for our client population. Our staff is committed to supporting all the children who come through our doors, and trainings like these from The Bryson Institute of The Attic Youth Center help us do just that. Pictured from L-R: Benita Williams (PCA), nadeen herring, Madelyn Morrison, Vickie Melvin (PCA) #lgbtqia #training #prevent #educate #Inclusivity
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We are so excited to share our gratitude for Jordan Mailata and the whole Philly Special Team. Last month, they made a truly transformative gift – fueled by the profits from the 2023 “A Philly Special Christmas” album – to support Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and to help end child sexual abuse. Thank you to Jordan, everyone who worked on A Philly Special Christmas (@aphillyspecialchristmas), and each one of the fans who purchased the album and made this gift possible. What an incredible way to wrap up the year!
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Buy your tickets now for our most important fundraiser of the year! Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. We can't wait to see you there. Find out more at bearaffair.org.
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January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, aimed to educate the public about the realities of human trafficking and the role we all play in preventing and responding to signs of this abuse in our own communities. Stay tuned this month as we share tips, stats, and resources around Human Trafficking and how we can all make a difference. #humantrafficking #humantraffickingprevention #prevent #educate #itsyourbusinessphilly #humantraffickingresources
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Jamila Anderson, our Lead Intake Coordinator, just celebrated 10 years with Philadelphia Children’s Alliance! As Lead Intake Coordinator, Jamila has spent the last decade working closely with our partner agencies to triage referrals and schedule child interviews, ensuring collaboration at all stages of this complex process. Congrats, Jamila, and thank you for all you do, day in and day out. Your children and families are lucky to have you — and we are, too! #celebrate #10yearsofservice #endchildsexualabuse #prevent
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At the end of 2023, our PCA staff had the chance to gather, unwind, and celebrate our year at @jacobsnorthwest in Mt. Airy. We ate delicious food, laughed, and even had an ugly sweater contest. You’ll see that Carolina Castano, our Lead Forensic Interviewer, was the clear winner – you can’t beat being the tree! As we launch into 2024, we are so grateful for our team, our community, and the impact we have on Philadelphia’s children. Thank you for being here and joining us on this journey! We cannot wait for all 2024 has in store. #ourpeople #ourmission #EndChildSexualAbuse
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We are beyond excited to announce our next PREVENT conference! Save the date for April 4, 2024 and join us at @thebraidmill in Germantown for a new kind of experience fueled by connection, collaboration, and conversations around child sexual abuse and prevention. We can’t wait to share more. Contact Sharon Rice (srice@philachildrensalliance.org) to join us. #PREVENT #endchildsexualabuse #conference #unconference #philadelphia #itsyourbusinessphilly
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Earlier this month we hosted a free, virtual workshop for caregivers about keeping our kids safe online. PCA Staff joined one of our clinical partners for an engaging conversation around what our children are doing on social media and the best ways to check in and create boundaries. Our next session will be January 25th from 12:30 – 2pm and you can sign up now at the link in our bio. We hope to see you there! #keepkidssafe #onlineworkshop #zoom #cac #endchildsexabuse
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Our good friends from Dunkin' (@dunkin) stopped by yesterday to start the holidays early! An extra special thank you to Brian McCauley and his son Brody, who dropped off tasty gifts not just for our staff at PCA, but for the whole Philadelphia Safety Collaborative crew (SVU, DHS, and the medical clinic). We are so grateful to have such thoughtful partners. Happy Holidays, Dunkin’! #happyholidays #dunkinlover #endchildsexabuse #philadelphiafoodie
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Research shows that each year, hundreds of thousands of children in our country are sexually abused – and 60% of these young victims will never feel safe enough to disclose their abuse. Teaching our children that they can tell us about unsafe touches and behavior without getting in trouble is a huge step in growing their confidence and trust. Learn more about our mission to end child sexual abuse at philachildrensalliance.org #itsyourbusinessphilly #protectourchildren #penncac #endchildsexabuse
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A huge thank you to our friends at Dare to Imagine Church (@d2ichurch), Volpe Koenig (@volpeandkoenig), and every one of our friends and supporters who contributed to this year’s Holiday Toy Drive. Because of your generosity, we get to provide holiday cheer to so many of the children and families we serve. Thank you again, from all of us! #holidaytoydrive #endchildsexabuse #philadelphia #cac #tistheseason
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Last week, we were thrilled to join the Center for Families and Relationships (CFAR) for our annual Mental Health Breakfast at Concilio. Pictured from left to right are @Vickie Melvin Vickie Melvin (PCA Associate Director), Jamica Cropper-Pam (CFAR Director of Outpatient Program-Northeast), Syeeda Martin (CFAR Together Through Trauma Program Director), Belen Gomez (CFAR Children Deserving Services Program Director), and Sharon Rice (PCA Program Manager.) Our community connections allow us to make an even larger impact on children and their families and we could not be more grateful to our partners.
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Leaving kids in vulnerable situations leaves them open to abuse. When we have to leave our kids in solo care with another adult, make sure you do as much as possible to leave open channels of communication and be present as much as you can, even in your absence. #itsyoursbusinessphilly #protectourchildren #holidaytips #homefortheholidays #penncac #endchildsexabuse
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We are so excited for a special shopping event with @kendrascott in Ardmore! They will be donating 20% of all sales in-store on December 13 and online from the 13 - 16th (using promo code GIVEBACK-FQNGP) to support our work. We can't wait. Let us know if you plan on shopping for good! #shopforgood #kendrascott #mainlinepa #giveback
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Help us support the children and families we serve in our annual toy drive! You can shop and ship directly to us from our Amazon Wishlist, make a donation on our site, our donate toys and gifts to our office. Find out more: philachildrensalliance.org/toydrive2023
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Just a reminder that tomorrow is our virtual “Keeping Kids Safe Online” Caregiver Workshop! There is still time to sign up to learn more about the critical challenges around keeping our children safe on the internet and how we can support them. Reach out to Rayna Smaller, LSW to register: rsmaller@philachildrensalliance.org #endchildsexabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #onlineworkshop #prevent
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We are so grateful to our friends and partners at @Aon Aon Philadelphia for providing lunch for our entire staff on Friday. Not only did it give us all a chance to take a break and connect – it was also incredibly delicious! Aon Philadelphia have been generous supporters of Philadelphia Children's Alliance since 2009 and play a critical role in the impact we have on our children. Thank you again, Aon!
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We’ve just earned our 2023 Platinum Seal with @candiddotorg ! Candid provides comprehensive data and insights about the social sector, helping people understand how organizations like ours utilize their donations and create impact. Thank you to our team for ensuring that we are consistently candid with our supporters and our families. #candid #candiddotorg #transparency #nonprofits #endchildsexabuse
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Last week, we hosted our “Risk Factors: Sexual Exploitation of Children” training for multi-disciplinary team members from various organizations across the city including our Special Victims Unit, Department of Human Services and mental health partners. Thank you to Alicia Kozakiewicz, a motivational speaker, victim and missing persons advocate, internet safety expert and abduction survivor, who led our second session, as well as Shannon Trace, the Senior Program Manager at the Family Advocacy National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, who discussed the impact of grooming and technology on children. Follow us here for more training opportunities and resources in Philadelphia and beyond. #preventchildsexabuse #themoreyouknow #endchildsexabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly
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Our kids are moving at a faster pace than ever and with that comes the challenge of keeping them safe in new virtual spaces. Our newest caregiver workshop, “Keeping Kids Safe Online” launches on December 6, 2023 via zoom and is free for all registrants. Facilitated by one of our family advocates, Rayna Smaller, LSW, this workshop is open to all caregivers and people who work with children of any age. Find out more and register by contacting Rayna at rsmaller@philachildrensalliance.org or at 215.528.0210 #endchildsexabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #onlineworkshop #prevent
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Today, on Giving Tuesday, Rite Aid Healthy Futures announced that Philadelphia Children’s Alliance has received a $10,000 neighborhood grant! Rite Aid Healthy Futures’ Neighborhood Grants help nonprofits address the toughest health and wellness challenges facing kids. We are so grateful for their support. If you’d like to support our mission, too, find out how at philachildrensalliance.org #givingtuesday #giveback #riteaid #riteaidhealthyfutures
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On Giving Tuesday this year, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance is asking you to give your voice to help spread awareness of the reality of child sexual abuse. Day in and day out, our team navigates a journey of healing for families. Sharing our message with people in your network and community will help us continue to make all the difference in the lives of children. Support us today by donating at philachildrensalliance.org and by sharing this post. #givingtuesday #endchildsexabuse
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Everyday, we are grateful for you – our partners, our families, and our community. Because of all of you, we are able to support the healing of children and families and help them move forward from their pain. Because of all of you, we are able to create a space where children are safe, seen, and heard. Thank you for all you do.
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As the holidays approach, it’s important that we recognize our kids’ boundaries. When relatives pressure them for physical affection, it can make children feel uncomfortable and teach them that they can’t make choices for themselves about their bodies. Visit philadelphiachildrensalliance.org for more resources and tips to keep our kids safe. #ityourbusinessphilly #protectourchildren #holidaytips #homefortheholidays #penncac #endchildsexabuse
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The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance would like to thank our good friends at Dunkin’ for supporting us with a $20,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation! Announced yesterday at the Dunkin’ x Eagles pep rally, this grant was awarded to PCA as part of the Foundation’s commitment to bringing the simple joys of childhood to kids in need. See the spotlight on 6ABC: https://6abc.com/14085379/ #americarunsondunkin #dunkinpartners #dunkinjoy #gobirds
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November 19 is World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and this year Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) is teaming up with the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse (ISPCAN) to share resources and awareness about child abuse prevention. To find out more about our work — specifically our Stewards of Children® training and our 10 Ten Tips To Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse — visit our community resource page at philachildrensalliance.org/community-resources #riseuptoendchildabuse #endchildsexabuse
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We could not be more excited to announce that we are officially back at Lincoln Financial Field for the 2024 Bear Affair on Thursday, May 2, 2024! Early bird ticket pricing is available now until December 15th. Get your tickets at bearaffair.org — you will NOT want to miss it!
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We are back with our Safety Spotlight Series to talk about what it means to make your home a “no secrets” zone. Secrets can seem so exciting and can make us feel a special bond with those we have them with, especially for children. The problem with secrets is that they lay the foundation for keeping our kids silent with more serious issues like sexual abuse and other inappropriate behaviors. Teach your kids to openly share about all their feelings and experiences. Learn more on our site by checking out our resources page. philachildrensalliance.org/resources #penncac #stopchildsexabuse #nosecretszone #10tips
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The work we do for children at Philadelphia Children’s Alliance takes a team of people dedicated to service, discretion, and detail. Our Data Management Specialist tracks all our case data and case outcomes and works closely with our program and development teams to measure and report the impact of PCA for funding and prevention needs. To qualify, you’ll need a Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field, experience with data and reports, knowledge of the Philadelphia behavioral health system, and familiarity with child abuse reporting requirements. For a full list of responsibilities and requirements, view our post at philachildrensalliance.org/jobs
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Register today for the live, in person workshop, "They Are All Our Children: Understanding and Addressing Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children" offered through BHTEN (Behavioral Health Training And Education Network) and instructed by Renee Roman, LMSW and Tricia Gardener, BA, JD. Find out more and register at https://www.bhten.com/dbhids-learning-hub #endchildsexabuse #training #education #philadelphia #cac
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We are hiring! If you are interested in joining the team at Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, this is your chance. The work we do has a direct, positive impact on survivors of child sexual abuse and their families, and we are looking for the right people to support or work and mission. Find out more and learn how to apply online at philachildrensalliance.org/jobs
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On November 7, 2023, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance will partner with CHOP’s Center for Autism Research to present a Virtual Lunch and Learn for our MDT partners and other practitioners who want to develop strategies for supporting autistic individuals and their families. For more information and to sign up, visit tinyurl.com/lunchandlearnchop #prevent #lunchandlearn #endchildsexualabuse
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A large part of the work we do at Philadelphia Children’s Alliance is prevention and protection. Throughout November (and starting today!), we’ll share our top 10 tips to protect children from sexual abuse. Research consistently shows that teaching kids the accurate names for their private parts enhances their body image, confidence, and their openness. It helps them normalize conversations about their bodies and can help protect them if they do have an experience that they need to share with an adult. For more resources, visit our site. #tentips #childsexualabuse #childsexualabuseprevention #itsyourbusinessphilly
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On October 11th, we had the privilege of hosting leaders from the City of Philadelphia and across our state for our annual Legislative Breakfast. When we come together to talk about the reality of child sexual abuse and how it truly effects every neighborhood in our city, we are better able to understand the urgency and impact of our mission at PCA. Thank you to everyone who joined us – together, we make all the difference. See all our pictures at the link in our bio.
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Thank you so much to the amazing members of the Faith and Hope Women’s Ministry of Mt. Pisgah AME Church for their support of PCA at their 5K/3K Fun Walk/Run To End Child Sexual Abuse last weekend. It was a great morning and we are so grateful for each and every one of you!
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Join PCA on Saturday, October 21, for the first Youth Mental Health Fair at the NOMO Foundation on Broad Street. We are proud to share community resources alongside NET Community Care CUA 7 and other amazing organizations serving our city. We hope to see you there!
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There are just 2 days until the 5K/3K Fun Walk/Run To End Child Sexual Abuse sponsored by Fath & Hope Women’s Minsitry of Mt. Pisgah AME Church! We will be at the starting line on Saturday at 8AM, walking in support of our mission. All proceeds benefit our work to help the children of Philadelphia, so sign up today and we’ll see you there! Visit mtpisgahamec.org for more!
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What an amazing morning at Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) for our annual Legislative Breakfast! Legislators came to PCA to see the effects of our collaborative work firsthand and to understand how the Safety Collaborative comes together to benefit the children we serve. Thank you to everyone who came today and for all who support the work we do! We can't wait to share even more photos later this week! #philly #community #CAC #endchildsexualabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #childadvocacypa
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Join us this month for THREE exciting community resource events! We’ll be at the NOMO Foundation, Fairhill Square Park, and Tiffany Fletcher Rec Center talking to our Philadelphia neighbors about the work we do and the impact of PCA. Hope to see you at one or all of these events! More info to come! #endchildsexualabuse #philly #KeystoneCACs #preventchildsexualabuse #childadvocacypa #itsyourbusinessphilly #philadelphia #EndHumanTrafficking #CAC #community
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We are so excited that the amazing members of the Faith and Hope Women’s Ministry of Mt. Pisgah AME Church have chosen to support PCA with a 5K/3K Fun Walk/Run To End Child Sexual Abuse. You are invited to join either in-person or virtually and registration is open now at mtpisgahamec.org All proceeds support our mission – we hope to see you at the starting line! #mountpisgahphilly #endchildsexualabuse #philly #walkrun #5k #womensministry
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Our 10 Years Together Celebration of the Philadelphia Safety Collaborative -- which unites SVU, DHS, and PCA -- was so fun we want to keep sharing it! Enjoy these pictures from a day filled with good food, great memories, and our extraordinary community of passionate advocates for the children of Philadelphia. Link in bio for our full gallery! #Philadelphia #CAC #childadvocacypa #community #preventchildsexualabuse #KeystoneCACs
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National Hispanic Heritage Month pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have influenced and enriched our nation and our society. In Philadelphia specifically, our neighborhoods and communities are rich with the amazing impact of Hispanic and Latino families and culture. From July 2022 through June 2023, PCA impacted the lives of almost 300 Hispanic and Latino survivors of child sexual abuse. Our bilingual staff members are available to ensure comfort and understanding through a family's entire relationship with PCA. We are committed to helping these children heal and thrive, so that they can continue to be shining lights in the world. #NationalHispanicHeritage #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #Philadelphia #CAC
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We can’t wait to join everyone at Community Day in Wissinoming Park tomorrow, September 30, at 11am. PCA will be there alongside other neighborhood and citywide resources, music, raffles, and more. We hope to see you there and thank you, CUA3 and Concilio for inviting us! #childadvocacy #childadvocacycenters #community #philly #philadelphia
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Thank you to Melany Nelson, Director of Forensic Services and Crisis Response and the Bucks County Child Advocacy Center staff for visiting with us earlier this month. We love connecting with other CAC’s and getting to share with them all that our facility and team have to offer. #keystonecac #childadvocacycenters #childsexualabuseprevention #itsyourbusinessphilly
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Last week, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance celebrated a decade of partnership alongside the Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Human Services. For 10 years, all three organizations have been co-located and united as The Philadelphia Safety Collaborative at 300 E. Hunting Park Ave, committed to making our city a safer place to live and thrive TOGETHER. We gathered for celebration, reflection, music, food, and fun. Plus, our favorite detective, Raymond Smith, even volunteered to run (and be submerged in!) a dunk tank to raise money for our cause. We are all so honored to serve our beloved city. #philadelphia #philly #phillykids #keystonecacs
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We’ve said it before and we will say it again – the work we do truly changes lives and we are so lucky to have amazing partners like Highmark who commit to supporting us at events like our annual Golf Outing with Aon Philadelphia. Thank you, Highmark, for choosing us and thank you for all you do. Highmark works passionately to deliver high-quality, accessible, and affordable experiences, outcomes, and solutions to over 7 million customers. We can’t wait for next year!
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As you all know by now, last week was a truly amazing week for us at PCA. We had a great time with Aon Philadelphia at our annual Golf Outing with friends old and new, raising integral funds to protect the children of Philadelphia. Chubb, one of our gracious sponsors, really represented on the course at Springhaven with 6 foursomes! Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, and we are so lucky to have their headquarters right here in Philadelphia. Thank you, Chubb, for everything you do for us and for our beloved city!
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We are so excited to report that our annual Golf Outing hosted by Aon Philadelphia incredibly raised over $60,000 with an amazing 21 companies across the region. For over 20 years, Aon Philadelphia has chosen to host this event in partnership with PCA to continue to fuel our mission of providing healing and service to young, vulnerable victims of sexual abuse. The support we get from Aon is truly transformative – not just at this event, but throughout the entire year. Special thanks to Aon Philadelphia’s Megan Bell, Alexa Stricker and David Bennink, passionate advocates for our children and their families, who always go above and beyond for us and our community. Aon offers global professional services that provide a wide range of risk, reinsurance, retirement, and health solutions. Thank you, Aon for being an integral part of the PCA family! Pictured in the second photo from left to right: Benita Williams (Executive Director, PCA) with our friends from Aon Philadelphia: Alexa Stricker, Megan Bell, Mary Margaret Taylor, and David Bennink.
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Just two more days until we hit the course at Springhaven for our annual Golf Outing hosted by Aon Philadelphia! Thank you to Zurich, who has generously sponsored this event again this year and who we can’t wait to see out on the green. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to our work! Zurich is a global insurance protection provider, focused on promoting wellbeing and the enhancement of climate resilience. Thank you, Zurich, for your support! @zurichinsurance @aonphiladelphia
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On Monday, PCA is hitting the green at the Springhaven Club for our Annual Golf Outing hosted by Aon Philadelphia! The money we raise from this event (and all the events we do) directly impacts the services we provide for Philadelphia victims and their families every day. Please join us in thanking unum, one of our amazing sponsors. Unum helps millions of people gain affordable access to disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision benefits through the workplace — benefits that help them protect their families, their finances and their futures. Thank you, unum, for your support! #preventchildsexualabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #KeystoneCACs #childadvocacypa
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Last weekend, we had the privilege of being a part of @smithplayground's 8th Annual Community Action Day. Naya Rivera, PCA's Prevention Liason, was at the event, spreading the word about the important resources that we have to offer and handing out back to school care packages, provided by Cradles to Crayons. We are so honored to be a part of this powerful, life-changing community. #preventchildsexualabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #KeystoneCACs #childadvocacypa
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We left the office and headed to South Bowl last month to celebrate with our team for Staff Appreciation Week. PCA could not have the impact that it has on Philadelphia without these people (and even more who aren’t pictured) whose dedication behind the scenes allows us to do the work we do day in and day out. We spent the afternoon laughing in gratitude and taking our best shots down the lanes – let’s hear it for our PCA crew!
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For 30 years, Christine Jones has been an advocate for vulnerable children in Philadelphia and an irreplaceable member of the team at PCA. On Christine’s first day (August 23, 1993 – she will never forget that date!), she joined 3 employees in our original office above a Thai restaurant at 4000 Chestnut Street. So much has changed since then, but what remains constant is the dedication, compassion, and heart of the people behind our work – and Christine has been a leader in helping mold the culture of PCA’s staff and services. In her own words, “As the needs of families change, PCA has enhanced our services to grow right along with them. To be able to see PCA’s dreams of becoming a one-stop-shop for a child to get the help they need after abuse and to be a part of the team where every single person truly has the best interest of each kid at heart is a true honor.” Thank you, Christine, for sharing your wisdom, dedication, and compassion with us for three decades! We couldn’t do this work without you – congratulations on 30 years! #preventchildsexualabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #KeystoneCACs #childadvocacypa
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We can't wait to be at Smith Memorial Playground this Saturday, September 9th for their 8th Annual Community Action Day. Enjoy free food, music, dance, and other fun outdoor activities while learning about some of the incredible resources available throughout Philadelphia. Don't forget to stop by our table and say hi!
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Just a reminder that our Darkness to Light Training is coming up on 9/13. Designed to help empower adults to help protect our kids from sexual abuse, this training is completely free of charge. Reach out to Naya at nrivera@philadchildrensalliance.org for more information.
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Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting our friend Arancha Lattanzio, Program Associate from National Children's Alliance (@natlchildrensalliance) as she toured PCA. National Children's Alliance unifies and amplifies the work of Children's Advocacy Centers nationwide to command better outcomes with a forward-thinking approach that stays at the forefront of every child's future. Thank you, Arancha, and thank you to everyone at NCA for the impact you have on our children! Also pictured: Nicole DeSain, PCA Finance Director; Ashley Christiansen, PCA Youth Problematic Sexual Behavior Trauma Clinician; and Amy Leach, PCA Director of Development and Communications #preventchildsexualabuse #itsyourbusinessphilly #KeystoneCACs #childadvocacypa
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Did you know one of the services Philadelphia Children's Alliance provides is court accompaniment? Find out more about court accompaniment and the other support services we provide our clients at philachildrensalliance.org/what-we-do
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