Description:  What if, when you were a child, an adult who you knew well and trusted molested you? How would you feel? Ashamed? Scared? Humiliated? Where would you go for help? What would you do? At the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) kids who have been abused get the ... Read More What if, when you were a child, an adult who you knew well and trusted molested you? How would you feel? Ashamed? Scared? Humiliated? Where would you go for help? What would you do? At the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) kids who have been abused get the best treatment from the most caring and specialized staff of experts. Here is the true story of an 8-year-old girl named Maria. Maria had been wetting her bed for several months. Her pediatrician could find no medical reason for the bedwetting. On the morning that Maria came to the CAC, she had finally admitted to her mother that her father had been abusing her for many months. Instead of having to go from an emergency room for a medical exam to the police department to make a statement and then to meet with a child protective services worker, Maria and her mother came to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Here she met with all the professionals involved in the investigation and assessment of children who have been abused. Instead of telling her story many times, she told her story only once, to one of the members of the investigation team while the others observed via closed circuit video. She had a medical examination conducted by a pediatric child abuse expert. She and her family met a victim advocate who helped them right there. After the assessment, Maria was given some crayons and paper and this is what she drew. It says “To the doctor that checked me if my perivate (privates) is healthy. Thank you! I am happy now. I feel much better.” We can only imagine the relief that a child who had been abused must feel when she or he is finally able to tell their story in a safe place and be believed. This is just one example of the over 600 children brought to our Children’s Advocacy Center last year. Maria was like the majority of children who are abused in that her abuser was someone she knew well and trusted. The specialized team at the CAC streamlines the investigation process minimizing the trauma for the child. Additionally, the staff provides training for pediatricians, teachers and social workers to help them recognize the early signs of abuse. I thank God that there are places in this world like the CAC where these kids can be treated and cared for in the best possible way. I ask that you read my mission below and if you feel like you can, donate to my cause today. I know that there is no amount of pain that I can endure through training or racing that can match the pain that these kids face every day. I hope that you will help me raise awareness and money for the CAC by donating whatever you can today. Thank you and God Bless, Aaron Matthew 25:40 - "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'  Close