CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s Child Abuse Awareness Month and the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center wants children and families to know they’re here to help.

The center held an open house Friday to get the word out about their efforts to protect kids. It has been helping children for four decades. They took the opportunity to refresh people on their vital services at the open house.
“Teachers, law enforcement, DCFS, all those those groups,” said CAC’s deputy administrator, Elizabeth Lebs. “We want them to know that we’re here and remind them that we want to support them.”
She has always wanted to help children, and said she found her perfect fit at the center.
“I was really inspired to work with kids. I kind of have taken a roundabout path to get here,” she said. “I was a teacher for a little bit. I did a few different things, but my passion has always been supporting kids and family.”
CAC’s executive director Dr. Lisa Liggins-Chambers said, before the center, children who were abused would have to talk about their experiences over and over. CAC uses a team approach where kids only have to recount their abuse once.
“[We’re] helping children who have been sexually abused or severely physically abused,” she said. “So, it’s a team approach to making sure that these children feel safe, supported and taken care of.” 
Lebs knows how difficult it can be for a child. She went through adversity as a kid, and said her experience doesn’t make the job easier, but if she can help a child look towards a better future – that’s what matters most.
“A lot of times when families come here, it’s one of the worst days of their lives,” Lebs said. “They’re going through some really tough stuff.”

Champaign County CAC has a couple of fundraisers coming up this summer. For more information on those, and how you can donate, you can visit their website here.