Outpouring of Community Support for Local Nonprofit

“As a community, we are grateful to the outstanding public servants who work hard every day to assist child victims and their families,” said Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr during his speech welcoming guests to the Child Advocacy Center’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on Monday night.

Over 200 people were gathered at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate with the Child Advocacy Center. Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Development Kelli Beam greeted the gathered crowd, and introduced the speakers. Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr gave a welcome speech, sharing his appreciation for the Child Advocacy Center’s work in Rutherford and Cannon Counties. “This is such a critical need in our community; as a matter of fact, it is the opinion of the Mayor’s Office of Rutherford County, and I would extend to that the four municipalities and the County Commission, there is no higher need than to protect our children, the most vulnerable in our community. Nothing less will suffice,” said Mayor Carr.

Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Evane Stoner shared her story of being a child sexual abuse victim and the lasting impact of the Child Advocacy Center. “I came to the CAC here in Murfreesboro 19 years ago seeking safety while my stepdad was awaiting trial for child sexual abuse perpetrated against me.” Stoner said. “Being at the CAC helped me begin to feel that I was safe and that I was not alone… Child sexual abuse leaves a lifelong imprint on survivors like me. It is an epidemic but the silence surrounding it allows it to persist… I believe when you talk about this, it helps other people and takes some of the power it has over you… I want to be part of a movement that doesn’t just sweep it under the rug but that talks about it… The compassion and support I found at the CAC didn’t just help me survive that time – it changed the course of my life. And with the tools I gained here with the Advocacy Center it allowed me to embark on a lifelong journey of therapy and healing.”

Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Sharon De Boer spoke after Stoner. “The Child Advocacy Center does not do this work alone. We do this work as part of a team, and I would like to take a moment to recognize that team,” De Boer said. She thanked and acknowledged members of the Department of Children’s Services, local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, Our Kids Center, Volunteer Behavioral Health and other mental health centers, elected officials, including the Rutherford County Commission and state legislators, grant funders, fundraising event sponsors, and current and former Child Advocacy Center board, staff, student interns, and volunteers for supporting Rutherford and Cannon County child abuse victims and their families.

Murfreesboro City Schools Director and Child Advocacy Center Board President Dr. Trey Duke gave the final speech of the evening. Duke thanked Evane Stoner for sharing her story, saying, “I think what it reminds us is that we can hear the number 2,000 cases last year, but… at the end of the day we can never forget that these are real children who go home with real families, who sit around real dinner tables.” Duke then surprised De Boer by presenting her an award for her commitment to child abuse and child sexual abuse victims in Rutherford and Cannon Counties, stating, “your lifelong work has had a profound and lasting impact on the community and beyond. And so many people don’t know what’s happening in that CAC, but for those that do know, it truly is lifechanging work.”