Children's Advocacy Collier

It takes a village to support children and families in crisis, and we are incredibly grateful for the compassionate work being done by Beverly’s Angels here in Collier County. Their generosity recently helped us bring both joy and essential necessities to a family we are serving at the Collier Children’s Advocacy Center during an especially difficult time.

And we would be remiss not to give a special shoutout to Benny, Beverly’s Angels’ beloved mascot, who brings smiles and comfort while helping spread kindness throughout our community.

Moments like these remind us that healing and hope grow stronger when a community comes together. To Beverly’s Angels, thank you for helping us care for children and families when they need it most. We are deeply thankful for the village that stands beside us to help those who need us most.

We are incredibly honored to share that Collier Children’s Advocacy Center was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year at the SWFL Inc. INCredible Awards.

It is truly meaningful to be recognized by the larger community for the work we do every day to support abused children and families in Collier County. This award belongs to our dedicated staff, partners, supporters, and everyone who believes every child deserves safety, healing, and hope.

Thank you to SWFL Inc. for this incredible honor and for shining a light on the importance of caring for the most vulnerable members of our community.

There aren’t enough foster homes in Collier County right now. Not even close.

Kids are being moved…sometimes far from their schools, their friends, everything familiar…just because there isn’t a safe place nearby to land. And yeah, that hits harder than most people realize. This isn’t some distant issue, it’s happening right here, every single day.

Here’s the thing though. It doesn’t take a “perfect” family. It takes a willing one. Someone who can open a door, set an extra plate at the table, and offer a little steadiness when everything else feels upside down. That’s it. Really.

Some people assume fostering means you need a huge house or a perfectly mapped-out life. Not true. What matters most? Consistency. Patience. Showing up.

And right now…we need more people willing to show up.

If you’ve ever even thought about fostering, even just in passing, maybe this is your sign to look into it a little deeper. No pressure, just information. Start there.

Learn more about becoming a foster parent through Children’s Network of Southwest Florida:

https://childrensnetworkflorida.org/cns/fostering/

Because somewhere in Collier County tonight, a child is waiting for a safe place to go.

Maybe it could be yours.

Thanks for all you do for the CAC!

This week marked a powerful step forward🪏

We were honored to be part of the construction kick off for the Children’s Advocacy Center, a space that will bring hope, healing, and support to so many children and families in our community.

“Lifting Up. Building Strength.” 💫
That message couldn’t be more fitting for what this project represents.

From the plans on paper to walking through the framework taking shape, it’s incredible to see this vision coming to life. Every beam, every wall, every detail is being built with purpose, to create a safe place where children are heard, protected, and supported.

Grateful to stand alongside so many passionate individuals and organizations making this possible. The impact this center will have is truly life-changing.

The future is being built right here. 💙

This is such a great event!

You hear “1 in 10” a lot… but that number is unfortunately outdated.

A recent national study took a deeper dive into child sexual abuse in the U.S., specifically contact abuse, and the reality is harder to swallow. The estimate now points closer to 1 in 5 children.

That’s not just a statistic. It’s something that should stop all of us in our tracks.

Every year, more than 2,570 suspected cases of child abuse come through our doors at Collier CAC.

That number sits heavy.

It’s not just data, it’s children, families, moments where everything changed. And in the middle of it all, someone has to show up, listen carefully, and help put the pieces back together.

That’s the work. And it doesn’t slow down.

Exciting News! 🎉 We are honored to be nominated for the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year Award at SWFL Inc.'s INCredible Awards! This recognition means so much to us, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our community. 💙

Join us as we celebrate alongside other outstanding businesses and leaders in Southwest Florida! Get your tickets and come cheer us on: https://www.swflinc.com/incredible-awards-2026 🎟️✨

Most people think they know what child abuse “looks like.” The truth? A lot of those assumptions are flat-out wrong.

This piece breaks down the biggest myths in Collier County, like abuse only happening in certain families or always being obvious, and why those beliefs can actually keep kids from getting help.

Dismantling the myths about child abuse in Collier County | Opinion We must confront the myths that keep child abuse hidden and prevent children from getting the help they need

https://laurenskidswalk.org

If your morning commute felt a little… off… yeah, that wasn’t just bad luck.

That big bus easing its way through traffic? That’s Lauren’s Walk making its way across the community today. It might slow things down for a minute, sure, but it’s moving with purpose, carrying a message that matters a whole lot more than a few extra seconds at a red light.

So if you spot it, now you know. And maybe, just maybe, take it as a quiet reminder of why it’s out there in the first place.

For Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Lauren's Kids Walk in My Shoes 2026 Join the Lauren’s Kids foundation and thousands of walkers across the state for the 2026 Walk in My Shoes 1,500-mile trek across Florida.