We all want to help improve our community and protect the children of the Rio Grande Valley from abuse. By educating yourself and donating to organizations like CAC, you can help bring hope, healing, and justice to young victims and their families.
Get involved with the Child Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties (CACHSC) to join us in fighting child abuse.
Here’s How You Can Help the Child Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties
If you want to help CACHSC in our mission to protect children, there are ways you can support our efforts directly; get involved in the way that makes the most sense for you.
Here are a few options to help us prevent child abuse.
Give Time
If finances are tight, it may make more sense for you to donate your time. Additionally, we are happy to take graduate and undergraduate interns, but even if you aren’t in school, you can still volunteer your time.
If you’d like to get involved in child advocacy, you can check out our open positions and enjoy critical work with competitive pay and benefits.
Give Resources
If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, donations are another great way to contribute to our mission. The children we serve need plenty of daily essentials and benefit greatly from every donation provided to us.
Alongside monetary donations, we also accept new and unused items, including:
- Children’s clothing, undergarments, and socks are always needed. If you can, try to donate clothes for different sizes and ages.
- Toys tend to be a big hit with kids of all ages and bring a smile during difficult times.
- Coloring books appeal to many children. We also need children’s books for many different reading levels.
- School supplies are a big expense for many families. Notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other such supplies are great things to donate.
- Since many of the children we advocate for are still toddlers, providing diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials can be especially helpful.
- Gift cards to local stores, gas cards, and cash donations are always useful and many caregivers need the help, particularly if they now have custody over a child.
You also have other ways you can help financially, such as making CACHSC a beneficiary for insurance policies you may have. There are plenty of options that will help you leave a lasting, positive legacy in the world.
How Your Donations Help Children
Your donations will make a real impact on the kids we work with:
- Many children we serve, particularly if they’ve survived trafficking, need clothes and basic undergarments. Having new clothes that fit can help bring a sense of normalcy.
- Toys and books don’t just bring kids joy, they can be important for play therapy and other ways we help kids heal after trauma.
- School supplies can be pricey, so donating these can help take pressure off caregivers. Some of the children we serve may not have been to school before or had to attend without supplies.
- Financial assistance can help make sure kids are fed and caregivers can focus on healing. Cash donations go far, but gas and grocery cards are just as helpful.
Help CACHSC by Reporting Child Abuse
Many abused kids slip through the cracks when those around them fail to notice the signs of child abuse.
If you want to help with child safety in your community, watching out for the kids around you can make a real impact. Here are a few signs of abuse.
- Regular unexplained or untreated injuries. Children may also complain of pain or show signs even if you can’t see any injuries.
- Serious injuries like burns or broken bones.
- Sudden mood changes, acting out, violence, or seeking out attention from any adult can all be signs of abuse.
- Seclusion from friends and family.
- Changes in grades.
If you see any of these signs, you should report your suspicions to CPS. Here’s what you need to include:
- Whereabouts of the child
- Age
- Injuries you observed
- Phone numbers associated with the child
- Changes you’ve noticed
- Any commentary from other children in the household
You should call 911 if you believe the child is in immediate danger. If not, make as detailed a report as possible and contact the Child Protective Hotline or the Childhelp National Abuse Hotline.
The Child Protective Hotline can be called at 1-800-252-5400. You can also call or text Childhelp at 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Both are available 24/7 every day of the year.