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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
July 26, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center is Celebrating 30 Years and is Unveiling its Healing Garden
In 2016, over 700 cases of child abuse or neglect were reported to law enforcement authorities in Lake County
LAKE COUNTY, IL - Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim announced that the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center ("LCCAC") will be hosting its 30th Anniversary as well as the Healing Garden's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 beginning at 11:30 AM. The event will be held at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center located at 123 O'Plaine Road in Gurnee, IL.
Activities will include:
- Tours of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center
- Light Refreshments and Appetizers
- Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The Healing Garden
The Healing Garden will serve as comfort to children and their families while present at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center. It is an opportunity for them to alleviate the trauma they have undergone as well as to find a reflective space.
The Healing Garden was constructed with monetary donations raised by the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's Friends Committee (LCCAC Friends Committee). The LCCAC Friends Committee is comprised of Lake County residents who had a keen desire to contribute to the LCCAC. In addition, over 400 Lake County residents contributed to completing the construction of the Healing Garden and the contributions include donations from the Chicago Bears Hometown Huddle through United Way of Lake County.
The healing garden is structured with a small play ground, butterfly garden, pergola and a water feature to create a peaceful yet interactive area. It also serves as a waiting area for parents, guardians, and staff. LCCAC volunteers will be able to sit and accompany the parent(s), child or guardian(s) while an interview proceeding is taking place.
Mitchell, the LCCAC's facility dog will have the opportunity to enjoy the garden with families and children to bring them comfort during difficult times.
The theme of the Healing Garden project is "To Plant a Seed is to Believe in Tomorrow". This theme serves as a message for the community and the people the LCCAC serves. The groundbreaking event was held on July 26, 2016.
"The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center (LCCAC) Healing garden was inspired by Lake County State's Attorney Michael G. Nerheim and made possible by the LCCAC Friends Committee, generous donors , and loyal supporters of the LCCAC. We are thrilled to see our vision become a reality. The garden will provide healing and Comfort to those we serve," said Carrie Flanigan-Executive Director of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.
About the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center
The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center was
created as the result of a child sexual abuse task force, held in 1985. Initiated by the State’s Attorney of Lake
County, the task force addressed the rapid rise in child sexual abuse reports. The findings of the task force mandated a
new, multi disciplinary approach for responding to reports of child sexual
abuse. In recent years, the Center’s
focus has expanded to include extreme physical abuse.
The Center opened in 1987. Its operation is a cooperative effort between
the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement and the
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center is
committed to providing a safe environment for child victims of abuse. The goal of the Center is to investigate and
help successfully prosecute offenders of child abuse without causing further
trauma to the child victim. Furthermore,
the Advocacy Center is dedicated to approaching victims of child abuse in a
sensitive respectful manner.
In 2016, over 700 cases of child abuse or neglect were reported to law enforcement authorities in Lake County.
Special Guest
The Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner will be represented by the Honorable Deputy Governor Leslie Munger. Leslie Munger was appointed Deputy Governor of Illinois in February of 2017. A senior advisor to the Governor, Leslie drives strategy, creates policies that benefit businesses and human services and serves as a liaison to the community.
Prior to her role as Deputy Governor, Leslie served as Illinois State Comptroller. Munger is a native Illinoisan, earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois and her master’s degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
A longtime resident of Lincolnshire, she has been an active community volunteer and leader for the Riverside Foundation, a not-for-profit organization serving developmentally disabled adults. In 2013, she was named volunteer of the year.
Deputy Governor Munger will be presenting the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center with a state proclamation in honor of the center's Healing Garden as well as its 30 historic years of existence.
The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center would like to extend their gratitude to Vienna Beef, The Chocolate Sanctuary, and the LCCAC Friends Committee for their honorable contributions to this historic event.
For more information, please email the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's Executive Director Carrie Flanigan at cflanigan@lakecountyil.gov or contact her by phone at (847) 377-3155. To RSVP please visit: eventbrite.com and search "LCCAC"
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Lake County State's Attorney's Office 18 N. County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3000
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