“All of the tremendous work that all of these people did is just dreams without people to help finance it.” – former Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Robert Kennedy
By Chelsey Hinsenkamp
SLN Staff
Last week, Walworth County officials gathered on a five-acre parcel at the Highway NN county complex in Elkhorn for what Assistant District Attorney Josh Grube called “a momentous day.”
Dozens were present for the Sept. 26 groundbreaking ceremony of the future Child Advocacy Center, a project that has commenced thanks to more than $115,000 raised and hundreds of volunteer hours.
“For those of us that live these cases, that breathe these cases, this is a momentous day,” Grube told the crowd present last week.
The building will eventually become a one-story, 4,300-square-foot center that will provide a variety of services to children of abuse, and in time, will also offer services to victims of domestic abuse.
Key speakers including former Circuit Court Judge Robert Kennedy, Grube, Center Director Paula Hocking and others, expressed their appreciation for all of the hard work that has been put in to what will be known as the Child Advocacy Center at W4063 County Road NN next to the Health and Human Services Building.
Kennedy took credit, and blame, for the organization’s start in his speech, citing a case he presided over involving the abuse of a child.
“This whole thing started from what I considered to be a bad decision on my part,” Kennedy explained.
He said the ruling, made early in his career, was too lenient on the accused abuser, and sparked a public outcry. In response to his ruling, the Children’s Court Advisory Board, which has since branched into WCAC, was born.
Kennedy said he is blown away by all the dedication the group has shown.
“I don’t think anybody had any idea how much time and effort it would take… but these guys kept working,” he said.
“They got legislation passed that helped and protected children,” Kennedy pointed out. “Have you ever tried to get legislation passed? It’s hard,” he added.
WCAC representatives say that with the building they are “working to create a comfortable, non-threatening environment, in a building that will house all of the necessary services, including a state-of-the-art forensic interview room where children can be interviewed on camera about an abusive event.”
Kennedy wrapped up his speech, saying “This is a fantastic thing. I can’t say any more.”
Grube followed, saying that the Child Advocacy Center will “lead the way in how we deal with these sensitive cases.”
He pointed out the innovation of such a center, suggesting “other counties will look to Walworth County for how we handle these cases.”
When Hocking took center stage she told the audience that “Really, all I want to say is ‘We did it!’”
All of the speakers thanked those who helped fund the project.
“All of the tremendous work that all of these people did is just dreams without people to help finance it,” said Kennedy.
According to co-President of WCAC Margaret Downing, to date there are three major donors who have contributed toward covering the cost of the building.
Barbara and Jerry Golden of Lake Geneva donated $50,000 by check at last week’s ceremony; the Brost family of Fontana donated $50,000 in the form of a cash donation coupled with a bronze sculpture of three children playing ring-around-the-rosie which will be on display in front of the new building; and the Van Dyke family of Elkhorn donated $15,000 in memory of Nick Van Dyke.
With nearly a quarter of the amount raised so far toward the $500,000 facility, the group will hold its first fundraising effort to directly benefit the building project with its Tree House Luncheon Fundraiser scheduled at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch was among the dignitaries scheduled to make an appearance.
Hocking said WCAC hopes the building will be operational and available for use by April 1, 2013 with construction beginning in the coming weeks.
For more information or to donate, visit http://www.wcacwi.org/.
