Hello everyone,

This is Executive Director, Sarah Anderson, with the Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center! I hope you are taking a minute to slow down, relax, and truly enjoy this holiday season!

In this quarter's newsletter, you will learn about a major milestone our Center reached this year. It's a milestone that we recognize with a heavy heart, but with your continuous help, we keep moving forward doing the much needed work in our community. We also highlight our staff's favorite holiday traditions, welcome a new board member, and brief you on Illinois' new law aimed at supporting the well-being of students.

We hope you enjoy reading this little update from us...

As 2021 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for all your kindness and support. To this day, we have served over 5,000 child abuse victims in Franklin and Williamson counties. While we reflect on this milestone and the year behind us, we are focused on the great work ahead of us. To us, this milestone signifies that physical and sexual abuse against children is still a prevalent and ongoing concern in our communities. It empowers us to keep moving forward more fervently than ever -- and we ask for your help in doing so.

By financially supporting the FWCAC, you help us serve child abuse victims within your own community. A gift of $20 helps provide a gas card a family traveling to court or a medical exam. $50 can provide a bookbag full of personal hygiene items to a child. $100 can provide a free counseling session to a child abuse victim. No gift is too big or too small and every dollar is needed to give child abuse victims in Franklin and Williamson counties the evidence-based support and services they deserve.

You can easily give online by following the link below or by mailing your check to the FWCAC at 501 S. 14th Street, Herrin, IL 62948.

Thank you for your continuous support.

Montana graduated from University of Evansville where she played volleyball and majored in Accounting. Montana then went on to study at Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale where she graduated in 2021. Montana now works in the General Counsel’s Office at Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Growing up, Montana observed her mother, Michelle Schafer, a family law attorney, advocate for abused or neglected clients. Montana became familiar with the severity of the problems facing the children we serve at our Center and learned of the resources available to them. Montana also witnessed the work the FWCAC does in the community during her time at the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Montana’s experience has allowed her to truly understand the importance of advocating for children that have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. She stated, “I understand how difficult it can be to coordinate their support with all of the different entities that may be involved in an investigation. I believe it is an area that is often neglected, as children are unable to advocate for themselves...”

To read the full welcome post, visit our Facebook by clicking here.

Faith's Law (HB1975)! Passing this exciting news along to you all! This legislation increases support for sexual abuse survivors, expands training for educators, and strengthens codes of professional conduct. Thank you Faith Colson, the bills namesake, for your efforts in advocating for this law. For a larger view of the photo below, click here to view it on Facebook.

The Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center

is dedicated to serving the best interests of children

who have been sexually or physically abused.

We, at the Center, are their Voice.

WE believe:

All children should be free of abuse and neglect.

All children should have the opportunity

to develop to their fullest potential in

a safe and loving environment.

It is in the best interest of abused children to have

collaboration among agencies

working on their behalf.

It is important to educate the public on the issues

of child abuse and neglect.