Page 4-5 - 2012-2013 Bi-Annual Report

Child Advocates, founded in 1977, is the country’s oldest and largest pro bono legal
and social services agency for children. Our mission is to advocate for victims of child
abuse and neglect with the goal of securing safety, justice, and a permanent, nurturing
environment for every child.
At Child Advocates, we team specially trained volunteer lawyers with experienced child
advocate social workers and staff attorneys to serve child victims of abuse and neglect
through a “whole child” representation model. As the children’s lawyers, we stand with
them to protect their rights in any legal proceeding. As their advocates, we seek to
identify their medical, educational, behavioral health and other basic needs so that we
can help them obtain proper services.
Our dedicated Board of Directors provides diligent fiscal and programmatic oversight as
well as strategic vision for our future. Thousands of generous donors and lay volunteers
help make our work possible by ensuring successful fundraising events like the Child
Advocates Golf Classic, Holiday Toy Drive, the Annual Benefit Reception & Auction and
the Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk.
Since we began our work, Child Advocates has trained more than 6,000 attorneys who
contribute pro bono services valued at more than $4.7 million annually. We could not be
more grateful for their contributions. We hope to recruit, train and support many more
volunteer attorneys in the years to come. Only then can we be there for the children.
ABOUT THE SUPPORT CENTER
FOR CHILD ADVOCATES
When we first enter our clients’ lives, they are struggling with the traumatic effects of
abuse and neglect, a splintered home, a wounded heart. We advocate for each child,
providing high-quality legal representation and seeking appropriate social services to
establish security and safety in the home. When we remove their obstacles, our children
start to dream and imagine the possibilities of a life lived to the fullest.
The following is a look back at the last two fiscal years of the Support Center for Child
Advocates (Child Advocates), celebrating our successes and reporting our health and
stability as an agency. With the support of the thousands of people and organizations
behind us, we can gratefully acknowledge the good work we have done, the lives we have
improved and the dreams we have helped become real.
When we reflect, we learn. When we learn, we improve. We have spent more than a
year in a strategic planning process that has resulted in a powerful document outlining
our vision for the next seven years. That plan, Vision 2020, is our roadmap to the future.
It holds our own dreams as an agency and will guide us as we face new challenges and
opportunities along the way.
Within these pages you will also read about some of our extraordinary clients. Their
dreams inspire us every day to do our best. We hope that they inspire you as well. Your
strong support makes our efforts all possible.
Warmly,
MARK A. GITTELMAN KATAYUN I. JAFFARI FRANK P. CERVONE
President Past President (2011-2013) Executive Director
DEAR FRIENDS,
WE LEARN TO DREAM
FROM THE CHILDREN
WE SERVE.