A parent's worst nightmare is to leave their child in the care of someone they think they can trust, and then learn this person has harmed their child. Such was the case for George and Marie, and their four-year-old daughter, Lila. George and Marie left their daughter in the care of a relative they thought they could trust. When they returned, they discovered that Lila had been burned over the majority of her body after being held down in the bathtub in scalding hot water. Because Lila's burn injuries were so severe, she had to be flown to a burn center in another city for appropriate medical care and treatment. Marie flew with Lila to the burn center where she has spent every waking minute by Lila's bedside to be with her while she goes through painful treatments. The impact of this trauma on Lila was extremely severe, both physically and psychologically.

George and Marie struggled to make sense of what had happened. Parents often experience feelings of guilt, which can be overwhelming, and at times debilitating. In addition, George and Marie were already undergoing severe financial difficulties prior to this incident. As a result, George was unable to afford to travel to be with his wife and daughter. Lila cried for her father every day, their separation was excruciatingly difficult for all of them. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Center was able to provide George with the hotel room so he could be close and available to Lila and Marie during this difficult time. Nothing could be so crucial as to ensuring Lila have both her parents with her at this time to provide her with the emotional comfort and reassurance she will need in her physical and emotional recovery. *Names and other identifying circumstances have been changed to protect the privacy of children and families.

The Center for Child Protection is collecting holiday items for families whose children are recovering from trauma. Each year, the Center sponsors a Holiday Giving drive to provide all the fixings for a holiday meal and presents for children and families. This crucial support provides comfort at a time when it is most needed.

There are many ways to help children and families this season from organizing a toy drive at your office to adopting a child or family. We are asking that all toys and clothing be new, and that child/family sponsors drop off unwrapped holiday items the week of December 4-8. Donations of holiday gifts and clothing will be collected throughout December for families who have needs right up to the holidays. To learn more, visit our Website. If you would like to help this season, please contact Alia Alsaffar at 512-472-1164 x239 or aalsaffar@centerforchildprotection.org.

The Center for Child Protection announced construction plans on November 15, for the new Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection, a more than 30,000 square foot facility designed to serve more abused children, better. The new Center, named after founding board member and child advocate, Ronya Kozmetsky, will enable all Child Protection Team (CPT) agencies to gather in one location to help serve and protect child abuse victims more efficiently and effectively. The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection will enhance intervention services for all abused children in Travis County, providing more room to examine more cases, access for more children to receive needed medical care, and a collaborative environment for specialized training.

"The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection goes beyond a collection of buildings," said Sandra Martin, executive director and CEO, Center for Child Protection. "It demonstrates a society that embraces the issue of child abuse and is working together to be fully present for vulnerable children today and in the future." The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection, with projected completion Fall 2007, will provide a vast menu of improved and enhanced services for abused children of all ages and their protective parents in an age-appropriate setting. The Center will nearly double the number of forensic interview rooms. There will be separate reception areas for clients and the community to preserve privacy, as well as a medical suite. In addition, the new Center will have an extensive therapy wing for play, group and art therapy. As of November 30th, 90 percent of the $9.1 million building campaign goal has been raised. The remaining balance must be raised by the end of April 2007 for the Center to qualify to receive a $400,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation. "Ronya Kozmetsky's compassionate concern for all children is a model for our community," said Mary Wilbur, board president, Center for Child Protection. “We are grateful to all of the families, individuals and organizations that have helped move the Center to this milestone and we are still counting on the community's help to make the dream of safety for all children a reality."

The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection will give government agencies and services providers the resources and space necessary to combine their efforts to more effectively collaborate and address child abuse. Because of limited space, the Center for Child Protection is now only able to support children under the age of 13 who allege sexual abuse, severe physical injury or who witness a violent crime. While the Center has successfully helped thousands of children, many more need the community's help. The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection will improve outcomes for children and their families, while bringing to life the Center's long-held plan to create lasting, systemic change to break the destructive cycle of abuse and trauma for all children in our community. The Children's Protective Community campus-like setting will facilitate the delivery of services to children and more effectively address the problem of child abuse by enabling government agencies and community organizations to combine their efforts. Participants will include public agency partners and other organizations serving the needs of children.

Support abused and neglected children this holiday season by attending "A Taste of the Season" on Sunday, December 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lexus of Austin (9910 Stonelake Boulevard). This annual holiday event features delicious cuisine and refreshments prepared by local restaurants, entertainment, a live auction, and plenty of holiday cheer. The highlight of the evening's festivities is the drawing for the Center's Luxury Raffle prizes, including a 2007 Lexus SUV Hybrid.

The Friends of Christopher Guild raised $53,000 to benefit the Center for Child Protection, through their Third Annual PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon held October 21. All the money raised will assist victims of child abuse in Travis County. Organized by Chair, Debbie Kern, PlayBingo was held at the Hilton Hotel Downtown and welcomed more than 475 ladies in their finest Bingo playing attire for eight rounds of competitive bingo, fabulous prizes, and a glittering silent auction. KXAN News 36 Weathercaster Jim Spencer and News Anchor Michelle Valles kept the Bingo numbers rolling throughout the morning as ladies jubilantly shouted out "Bingo" to win prizes.

We gratefully thank the following sponsors for making this day such a success for children! Platinum sponsors were Shannon & Greg Bennett, Lexus of Austin, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Rebecca Rooney. Gold sponsors were Harriett Breihan, Marjann Cooper from Amelia Bullock Realtors, Fe Fe's Favorite Things You'll Love, Hilton Austin, Marge & John Kelley, Vicki Landon & Vivian Kolenda, Maxine Roberts of Lexus of Austin, Gail Sanditen, Naomi & Mark Tate, Deidre Vedder, and Mary Wilbur. Silver sponsors were Cathy Casey & Janice Ryan, Shelley Gustafson, Patricia Hayes & Friends, LCRA Employees' United Charities, Liz Howard Marketing, Sandra Martin & Friends, PetersGroup Public Relations, Nancy Rice, Linda & Mike Shaunessy, Karen Shultz & Kay Rawlins, Silicon Labs, Linda & Mark Williams, and Verena Wilson & Friends. The Bronze sponsors were Nita Aleman & You've Been Served! LLC, Amelia Bullock Realtors, Nicky Brademan & Bobbie Sumner, Dorina Cockman + Family & Friends, Leslie Dawson & Susan Hackney, Kathy Enfinger, Edie Finch, For the Children, Heritage Title Company, International Bank of Commerce, Debbie Kern of Event Marketing Group, Kathy Loden, Mindy McCracken & Dayna Blazey, and Debbie Tate & Family.