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See Board Chair Wendy Samuels talking about our upcoming ‘Dueling Against Child Abuse’ Fundraiser!

https://www.9and10news.com/2023/08/30/open-arms-child-advocacy-center-needs-your-help-to-support-child-abuse-victims/

Please feel free to check out the below OACAC 2022 Annual Report. Everyone at OACAC thanks all of our community partners, donors, volunteers, and supporters for all of their help in 2022. We here at OACAC cannot wait to see what 2023 brings as we further our work in helping our most vulnerable community members.

OACAC would like to announce the addition of two new members to our Board of Directors. A huge welcome goes out to Brian Miller, Sheriff of Mecosta County, and to Amanda Wilson, DHHS Children’s Services Supervisor in Lake/Newaygo Counties. Welcome!

OACAC would also like to thank former board member, Jennifer Schmidt, for her service to OACAC over the past several years. We wish Jennifer all the best and thank her for everything she has done in supporting the children and families in the communities we serve. You will be missed!

Open Arms Child Advocacy Center has been awarded “Associate Developing CAC” status by the National Children’s Alliance, the nationwide accrediting body that oversees CAC’s all across the country. This is an exciting first step towards CAC becoming a fully accredited center! We here at OACAC are thrilled to be a member of the NCA and look forward to achieving full accreditation as soon as possible.

Laura Britting, OACAC Executive Director, and several OACAC board members volunteered their time last week at the Osceola County “Shop With A Hero,” sponsored by the Big Rapids Meijer. The group enjoyed helping bring some holiday joy to local families. Check out our Facebook page to see pictures from this amazing event!

For families coming to Open Arms Child Advocacy Center for interviews, the trip just got a little easier. OACAC has received a grant in the amount of $400 from the United Church of Big Rapids, as well as an $800 grant from Great Lakes Energy. The money from both of these amazing grants will go directly towards providing gas cards for families traveling to and from our center for forensic interviews. OACAC is thrilled to work with these two amazing partners in ensuring that all children are able to visit our safe and caring environment without their parents and/or guardians having to go through additional financial stress (especially with the higher gas costs). Thank you to the United Church of Big Rapids and to Great Lakes Energy for supporting our mission to help children and families in the community!

OACAC staff, including new Executive Director Laura Britting, will be at the Mecosta County Community Giving Day on Tuesday, November 29th. The event is being held at the Big Rapids Eagles from 11:00am-6:00pm. Come on by and say hello!