Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Butts.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Danielle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
All Our Children’s Advocacy Center was founded in January 2012, but the program actually began in 1997 as a part of Jane Addams Hull House Association. In December 2011, Jane Addams Hull House Association told the staff that the Association would be filing bankruptcy and closing its doors. I decided to form a 501c3 and All Our Children’s Advocacy Center began. During this transition time, AOCAC was unfunded due to the grants needing to be transitioned from JAHHA to AOCAC and the JAHHA bankruptcy procedures. The local police departments who we work with contributed funds to help cover expenses to allow AOCAC to continue providing services. During this two month period, the AOCAC continued to work without a salary so that children, who had been abused, neglected or witnessed a violent crime could continue to receive services. Almost 3 months later, AOCAC became fully funded and has continued to grow since then. More than 5 years later, the agency is thriving and has doubled our staff and services.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, as a program of an umbrella agency that is going through bankruptcy and closing its doors there were many obstacles. Setting up a 501c3 is a lengthy and very involved process, which usually takes months to establish. Unfortunately, AOCAC did not have months to spare so through dedication and hard work, AOCAC was established as a 501C3 in less than 6 weeks.
Funding was another issue. AOCAC provides all services free of charge and is grant funded. The funders had to end their contracts with JAHHA before they were able to move to fund AOCAC. During this time period, AOCAC had no available funds and had to rely on our partner agencies and staff to continue. Fortunately, AOCAC was able to weather the storm and continue to grow and thrive.
Please tell us about All Our Children’s Advocacy Center.
Child sexual and physical abuse affects children, families and the communities in which they live. AOCAC is dedicated to serving the needs of children and families who are affected by the trauma of abuse while enhancing the community’s trauma-focused response to the problem.
AOCAC’s goal is to lessen the trauma a child often faces during a sexual and/or physical abuse investigation while enhancing the efforts of prosecutors, child protective services, and law enforcement agencies. We believe that coordinating the efforts of investigative professionals will increase our ability to help victims and their non-offending caregivers.
AOCAC collaborates with local law enforcement agencies, DCFS, and the Cook County’s State’s Attorney’s Office to streamline the investigative process through Forensic Interviews (FIs). The FI is conducted in a warm, caring environment that is sensitive to the child’s needs and developmental level. This collaborative approach minimizes the stress a child undergoes during an investigation while bringing together the collective expertise of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.
AOCAC provides multi-disciplinary Forensic Interviews, Family Advocacy, Trauma-Focused therapy, Medical referrals, education and referrals all free of charge to our clients and community.
AOCAC is an investigative partner to over 36 law enforcement agencies, DCFS and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8651 S. 79th Ave.
Justice, IL 60458 - Website: www.aocac.org
- Phone: 708-233-1176
- Email: danielleb.cacswcc@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllOurChildrensAdvocacyCenter/?modal=media_composer&ref=page_homepage_panel
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