Texas Border Business
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation designating March 7, 2020, as Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County Day. The center, which was established in 2000, is one of 800 Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide, and one of 71 certified Children’s Advocacy Centers in Texas and the first child-focused facility and community-based program of its kind in Hidalgo County, servicing child abuse victims age 2 – 17 years of age.
The center works to reduce the emotional trauma to child abuse victims, which supports the prevention of child abuse through community education and promotes the effective prosecution of those who perpetrate crimes against children. Lorena Castillo, President of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Advocacy Center, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization and stated, “We appreciate your continued support of the Children’s Advocacy Center and we are proud to support our communities in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. We are often the first stop for children who have been suspected of abuse, neglect, or those who have experienced a violent crime. Our goal is to restore the lives of children and families affected by abuse and neglect through hope, healing, and justice. We do this by providing victim support, mental health services, forensic medical evaluations and by facilitating investigations of these cases in collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office, Law Enforcement, and CPS. Last year we saw 1,900 abused children, 150 from the city of Pharr. We are proud of our partnership with the Pharr Police Department and investigators and we thank you for your commitment to helping make a difference in the lives of children,” she said. “We thank you for your support!”
Castillo announced that in order to raise awareness and funds for the organization, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, is hosting their 10th Annual VINOS event at the Embassy Suites McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, March 7, 2020, from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, featuring delicious food provided by local restaurants, fine wines and amazing entertainment by Satellite and The Renaissance Rockers.
