Advocacy Network for Children to Hold “Superhero Family Fun Challenge”

Advocacy Network for Children will be holding its first “Superhero Family Fun Challenge” on Saturday, October 15^th. The money raised through this event will help with day-to-day operating costs of the agency which provides advocacy for abused and neglected children in nine West Central Illinois counties.

This fun run/walk is geared towards families but everyone is welcome. The 5k run/walk is open to all ages and abilities and starts at 9:00 a.m. The run/walk will start and finish at Madison Park. A fun run for children 8 and under will be held in Madison Park at 10:00 a.m. along with other activities.

Everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero and prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Leashed pets are welcome with a paid owner. For more information and to register, please visit www.advonet.org/superhero.

Packets, including t-shirts, will be available for pickup starting at 8:00 a.m. on the 15^th. Individuals may also register the day of the race starting at 8:00 a.m. but will not be guaranteed a t-shirt.

The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers to speak in the best interest of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system. Last year, almost 200 children were represented by trained CASA volunteers in Adams and McDonough Counties.

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) provides a child-friendly, neutral environment where child victims of sexual abuse or severe physical abuse and their non-offending family meet with law enforcement, Department of Children and Family Services and State’s Attorney for the purpose of investigation. The Children’s Advocacy Center coordinates the investigation and provides a variety of advocacy and support to the child victim and non-offending family.

Children’s Advocacy Center staff helps bridge the gap between social services, law enforcement, and the court system. The Children’s Advocacy Center program served almost 350 children from July 2015 through June 2016 in the nine counties it serves.