Winter is just around the corner, and the need for warm coats has never been greater.

Friends of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center (Friends) invite you to help families in need stay warm this winter. The Friends of KCCAC will be collecting clean, new and gently used coats from Monday, Nov. 28, to Thursday, Dec. 1, which can be dropped off at one of the following locations:

• Kane County Child Advocacy Center, 427 Campbell St., Geneva, IL 60134
• Montgomery Police Department, 10 Civic Center Ave., Montgomery, IL 60538
• Carpentersville Police Department, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive, Carpentersville, IL 60110
• Aurora Police Department, 1200 Indian Trail, Aurora, IL 60505
• Kane County Sheriff’s Office, 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles, IL 60175

About the Kane County Child Advocacy Center

The Kane County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) was established in 1994 to ensure the coordination and cooperation in the investigation of cases of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse of children. The Kane CAC investigates over 300 cases of child sexual abuse each year. Friends of the CAC are a non-profit organization who help such families rebuild their lives after a report of child abuse. The Friends help provide victim assistance including emergency needs such as clothing, food and shelter to those victims and their families. Friends help hundreds of families each year in their journey to recovery.

About the Friends of KCAC

In 2009, Kane County had the fifth-highest level of child sexual and physical abuse reports in Illinois. Surprised? Don’t be. Abuse is one of those crimes that, in the interest of the children, is kept quite. Fortunately, the strong legal system and the work of the Child Advocacy Center, Kane has a strong track record of ensuring that justice is served.

But, while the system ends with justice, the child’s journey, and that of their family, is just beginning. Rebuilding the lives requires support that starts at the report and continues well beyond the court’s verdict. Unfortunately, most families cannot afford the services that will give them the best chance of recovery and successful integration back into the community.

• That’s where Friends of the KCAC (Kane Child Advocacy Center) comes in. Friends helps families rebuild their lives through our programs, such as:
  • Specialized counseling programs;
  • Support groups for victim’s families;
  • Adopt-A-Family programs (assist families with food, clothing)
  • Medical equipment purchase (reduce invasiveness of investigative procedures);
  • And many others.

The Friends of KCAC is always looking for volunteers and donations to help kids and their families rebuild their lives after this tragedy.