Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County Reflects on 25 Years of Service

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News

CENTRE, Ala. — For 25 years, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Cherokee County has been a cornerstone of hope for children and families impacted by abuse.

Founded in 1999, the CAC provides trauma-informed services including forensic interviews, counseling, advocacy, and prevention education—all at no cost. Every case is coordinated with law enforcement, the Department of Human Resources, and legal professionals to ensure children receive comprehensive care.

Since opening its doors, the CAC has conducted over 5,000 forensic interviews and counseling sessions. Each year, prevention programs reach more than 3,000 students in local schools.

Photos from CAC’s 25th Anniversary Blue Tie Gala.

Executive Director Lori Harris, who has served since the center’s founding, said the anniversary is a reminder of the work still ahead. “Our vision is a community where every child is safe, heard, and protected,” she said.

The CAC remains committed to expanding services, strengthening prevention programs, and equipping families with tools to protect children.

For Harris, the true measure of the center’s impact is seen in children who find the courage to speak, receive support, and begin to heal. “Abuse is never the child’s fault,” she said. “Every child deserves belief and protection.”