Braveheart 2024

About Us

Braveheart is a name that represents the courage it takes for children to tell, the bravery and dedication of our team, the innocence at heart of every child and the heart of the community to speak up in partnership with us.

Impact: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually abused before the age of 18. Children of every gender, age, race, ethnicity, background, socioeconomic status and family structure are at risk. No child is immune. On average we see around 170 children a year.

Without effective therapeutic intervention, any traumatized children will suffer ongoing or long term adverse social, emotional, and developmental outcomes that may impact them throughout their lifetimes.

Braveheart’s services, in cooperation with MDT members, makes the community a safer place by ultimately leading to the prosecution of offenders. Child abuse cases that are coordinated through us saves the community an average of $1,000.00 per case. In one year, on average, Braveheart CAC helps save the communities we serve $160,000.00.
History: From 1992 to 1997 five young children were brutally beaten to death by their mother’s abusive boyfriends in Henry County IL. In response to these murders, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) involving prosecutors, police, The Department of Children and Family Services and Braveheart was created to provide a coordinated response to child abuse allegations. Braveheart first opened its doors in Cambridge to serve Henry County in 1999. Braveheart expanded, partnering with Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties in 2002 and Bureau County in 2007.

Purpose: Protection of the child, justice, and healing. Braveheart is a child-focused model that coordinates the investigation and treatment services for children involved in allegations of sexual or serious physical abuse. Our offices serve as the heart of the MDT’s initial response to child abuse. Prior to Braveheart kids had to endure multiple interviews with many different people, often re-traumatizing the child they were seeking to assist. Braveheart ensures that the child only has to be interviewed one time, by one person, in a safe child friendly place. The Braveheart staff member who interviews the child is specially trained to conduct a neutral fact finding forensic interview.

After the initial interview, Braveheart continues to support the child and family as well as coordinate MDT efforts. Monthly case review meetings are held to discuss the progress, barriers and next step of each child’s case to ensure cases do not fall through the cracks. We help connect children and families to needed resources, pay for specialized therapy and medical services for kids, and offer community education presentations on child abuse and prevention. We provide all of our services free of charge to children and their families.

5 Counties

Henry
Bureau
Marshall
Putnam
Stark

3000+

Helped children helped out of bad situations.

3 Locations

Cambridge, IL
Princeton, IL
Lacon, IL

SUPER HERO 5K

Join Braveheart for the 2023 Superhero 5k run/walk on Saturday, April 29th! The morning kicks off at 10:00am with the 5k run/walk and it is followed by the kid’s superhero fun run. The kid’s run is complimentary. The first 50 children to register for the kids run will receive a goodie bag. Prizes will be awarded for best costume for kids and best costume for adults. Awards will be provided to the following male & female categories ; 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29,30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over. There will be family activities following the runs including a visit from Buzz Lightyear.

DETAILS

SUPER HERO 5K RUN DONATIONS

$0 of our $250,000 target has been raised.

Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center is a not for profit organization that provides services to child abuse victims. Our mission is to strengthen our community’s response to child abuse through prevention, intervention and advocacy. We help connect children and families to needed resources, pay for specialized therapy and medical services for kids, and offer community education presentations on child abuse and prevention. We provide all of our services free of charge to children and their families. Each day at Braveheart abused and neglected children find hope and healing. We work to provide a therapeutic environment that allows children to work through their trauma while feeling safe. We stand together with law enforcement, states attorney offices, department of family resources, medical and mental health partners. Furthermore, we serve Henry, Bureau, Stark, Marshall, and Putnaum County.

Braveheart is a name that represents the courage it takes for children to tell their stories, the dedication of our team, the innocence at the heart of every child and the community who speak up in partnership with us. Braveheart CAC is a proud member of the Kewanee Area United Way, Bureau County United Way and the Geneseo Community Chest.

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Heart Of Hopes

CONTACT BRAVEHEART

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REPORT ABUSE: CALL 1-800-25-ABUSE OR 1-800-252-2873 Do you suspect a child is being abused? To report suspicions, contact your local law enforcement agency or the law enforcement agency where you believe the abuse is happening. Concerned citizens should also make a report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by calling: 1-800-25-ABUSE OR 1-800-252-2873. Reporter information is not shared with families.

Are you a mandated reporter? Everyone who suspects child abuse should report it to law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. But, if you are a mandated reporter, you are required by law to report abuse. Braveheart recommends mandated reporters review how to recognize and report abuse every year.

For a free training, go

HERE

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COPYRIGHT © 2023 BY BRAVE HEART CAC 501C3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION