Children are innocent, vulnerable and dependent, yet they are remarkably resilient in the face of traumatic events. Six-year-old Jason* was referred to the Center for Child Protection after telling his mother, Helen, that a family friend had been touching him in his private places. When Jason told what happened during his interview at the Center, Helen was overwhelmed with feelings of anger, guilt and shame. Jason needed his mother more than ever, but Helen was in no condition to support her son - she needed help, too. Clinical staff were able to immediately intervene to help Helen through the devastating betrayal she felt and overwhelming guilt about the situation happening at all. They addressed her feelings, walked her through the legal steps to protect Jason, and helped her cope by organizing the ongoing assistance she and her son would need throughout this unexpected ordeal. A continuum of support made the difference for Helen, so she could be a strong protector for her son. *Names and other identifying circumstances have been changed to protect the privacy of children and families.

If you'd still like to help, we have room for you! The next volunteer training will held on a Saturday in late-October. If you're interested in attending, contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Richards at 512/472-1164 x231 or srichards@centerforchildprotection.org.

Make plans to come to Dancing with the Austin Stars presented by Lexus of Austin on Sunday evening, December 2, at the Hilton Austin. This new event stars Austin celebrities paired with professional dancers for a dance performance to be enjoyed by all. The event will also feature a "Taste of the Season" silent auction with exclusive parties from the area's finest restaurants, a semi-live auction, a drawing for a 2008 Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Luxury Utility Vehicle, Treasure Boxes, Gingerbread Houses, and a live band so that every guest will have a chance to dance the night away!

The University of Texas' own Coach Mack Brown and his wife Sally Brown are Honorary Chairs for the event. Dancing with the Austin Stars is being organized by Jeanne Parker, Venus Strawn, and professional ballroom dancer and Dance Director Sabrina Barker. Contact Emily Jansen at 512/472-1164 or ejansen@centerforchildprotection.org for sponsorship and ticket information.

• We are grateful to Silicon Laboratories and their MCU and CAD Teams for adopting our Project Backpack, which provided more than 100 backpacks filled with school supplies for children.

• Thanks go to Lexus of Austin, The Domain, Friends of Christopher Guild, KXAN News Austin and all who participated in the first annual PlayBingo Shopping Extravaganza, August 25.

• We appreciate McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant at The Domain and all the supporters who came out to the pre-opening dinner which benefited the Center, August 24.

• We are thankful that Joni and Greg Greeson of Collectic Home, LLC and TRIBEZA magazine chose the Center as its featured charity at a recent TRIBEZA Happy Hour, August 23.

• Thanks go to Target for their generous donation this fall which will provide emergency funds for families in crisis.