The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Independence County hosted its annual Harvesting Hope Gala on Thursday, bringing together community members to support its mission of assisting children affected by abuse. The event’s keynote speaker, Julia Goodwin, shared her personal story of healing through the center and urged attendees to join in supporting its vital work.
Goodwin, a 2024 psychology graduate from Lyon College and a current graduate student pursuing a master’s in therapy, first encountered the CAC as a 14-year-old survivor of sexual assault. “Like all dark things, it did come to light,” she said, recalling the moment she disclosed the abuse to a police officer. That disclosure eventually led her to the CAC, where she placed a purple handprint on the wall, a tradition for children served by the center. “It was the single moment when I realized that what happened to me would never go away. It was the moment I had to decide who I would become.”
Years later, while completing her undergraduate studies, Goodwin returned to the CAC as an intern, assisting advocates, forensic interviewers, and therapists. She described watching children arrive at the center and receive the care and support they needed. Now 23, Goodwin said sharing her story has become part of her healing process and a way to advocate for others. “If I can stand up here, unafraid and willing to share the most terrible thing that happened to me, then I feel like I have the right to ask you some questions: What can you do? How can you make sure every child who walks through those doors has the same outcome as me?”
Rhonda Woods, executive director of the CAC, commended Goodwin’s courage and resilience. “This young lady is everything that we want young people to grow up to be – healthy, healed, resolved to make a difference in the world,” Woods said. She added that the support Goodwin received during her difficult journey underscores the importance of the center’s services.
Since opening in 2018, the CAC has assisted over 1,600 children from a five-county region, including Independence, Izard, Sharp, Fulton, and Stone Counties. Last year alone, the center conducted 230 forensic interviews and continues to provide critical care free of charge to families. Inside its home-like setting, known as the “Little Blue House” on Boswell Street in Batesville, children receive trauma-informed support, including forensic interviews and medical exams conducted by specialized nurse examiners.
The gala also served as a platform to highlight the efforts of law enforcement and other professionals who partner with the CAC. Investigator Brenda Bittle of the Batesville Police Department was honored with the “Most Valuable Protector” award for her three decades of service, including her work on the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. “This house feels like a home, and that makes a tremendous difference when it comes to gaining a child’s trust,” Bittle said. She described seeing the walls lined with handprints from abuse survivors as a poignant reminder of the impact of the CAC’s work. “We’re going to protect these kids, no matter what.”
Board President Kyle Christopher and gala sponsor Whitney Massey of First Community Bank also emphasized the role of the community in supporting the center’s mission. Massey called the center a “safe, supportive refuge” for families facing their most difficult moments and urged attendees to continue donating, volunteering, and raising awareness. “Tonight is a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together for a common purpose,” she said.
In addition to Goodwin’s keynote and special recognitions, the event featured fundraising activities, including raffle prizes and a surprise live auction of a Kansas City Chiefs ticket package. For more information about the CAC or how to contribute, call 870-569-8099 or visit www.cacindependence.org.