At a recent Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch meeting, the members heard an uplifting message from Kollin Weaver from the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) for North Texas. Kollin presented a comprehensive review of the structure and operation of the Children’s Advocacy Center. His comments are below.
“The Children’s Advocacy Center movement started in the 1980s to create a place where children and their families come for help, to tell their truth once, and to receive support towards justice and healing.” By the 1990s, the movement became part of the Texas Family Code, which mandates that certain criminal cases of child abuse, including sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, child trafficking, or witness to death or severe violence, are investigated at a CAC. Since 1997, we have coordinated the investigation and prosecution of severe child abuse cases for law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and prosecutorial offices in our service area through a multi-disciplinary team response for children aged 0 to 17, regardless of racial, gender or sexual identity, family language, or socio-economic background.
Children served by a CAC are surrounded by a team of caring professionals in an environment designed with kids in mind. Since 1997, they have coordinated more than 27,000 cases, ensuring stronger outcomes by offering six core services: Multi-disciplinary Team Coordination, Forensic Interviews, Mental Health Services, Family Advocacy Services, Forensic Medical Exams, and MDT Case Review. In 2020, our accrediting agency, CACTX, added Wise County, the largest county without its own CAC, to our service area. We expanded to Jack County in 2022, as child abuse does not stop at the county line, so neither can our response. As a multi-county advocacy center, we receive and read statewide intake reports of child abuse concurrently with investigators, ensuring that no child and no investigation “falls through the cracks” or receives less than our best-in-class service. For 26 years, we have been the place where investigations are conducted and where healing and restoration happen.
Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas and our 67 partner agencies across our three counties (Denton, Wise, and Jack) provide critical, no cost victim services to child victims and their families to facilitate the healing process and reduce the trauma of abuse. We know that child victims of severe abuse are at high risk for continued trauma and deserve strong and proven interventions that promote resilience and allow victims to overcome the impact of abuse. That is why we exist: to eliminate the negative outcomes associated with child abuse and to restore the full potential of the child. We pledge to break the cycle of child abuse by educating families and our community to protect children”.
Please see the Children’s Advocacy Center website for more information: cacnorthtexas.org.
Kiwanis Club Classic Bingo
The Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch was excited to welcome 330 residents from Robson Ranch to the recent Bingo event on June 14. The Kiwanis Club has a Texas Charitable Bingo license, which allows it to award cash prizes to Bingo game winners. At this recent Bingo, 24 people won cash prizes for winning in the Bingo games, and another 17 people won door prizes! It’s so much fun to hear the shouts of “Bingo” when someone has the winning pattern. The “Darling Dabbers” even had special shirts for the players at their table!
Janice Quick, a Kiwanis member and experienced Bingo caller, engages the players in each game and ensures a fun bingo experience. She creates a variety of bingo card winning patterns to keep the games interesting. Numerous other Kiwanis Club members support her in organizing the event.
The next Bingo date will be Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2:30 p.m. Many residents requested night-time Bingo, so it will be Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse.
Bingo is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club, and 100% of the proceeds go to local charities that support children and families in Denton County. Kiwanis members enjoy sharing a fun afternoon with friends and neighbors. We appreciate everyone’s generosity and participation and know it helps improve the lives of kids and families in Denton County.
Denton Freedom House
At a recent Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch meeting, Chad Eskew from the Denton Freedom House gave an inspirational update. Below are his comments.
Denton Freedom House Ministries is a non-profit organization with many branches. Our vision is to see “Every Broken Life Mended.”
We are a ministry organization that takes men and women trapped in addiction and helps them turn their lives around through a residential, Christ-centered program that models family life. The Freedom House serves over 120 men and women and their families each year. We offer a place of safety and comfort to veterans, those who have been previously incarcerated, and those experiencing homelessness. Learn more at dentonfreedomhouse.org.
We also operate Freedom Food Pantry where we serve groceries to those who are hungry but don’t have access to food or the financial means to buy for their family. We are the only pantry that is open five days a week and the largest pantry in Denton County. We serve approximately 300 families daily. Our desire is to eliminate the fear of hunger. Learn more at dentonfreedomhouse.org/services/freedom-food-pantry.
In addition to the Men/Women’s discipleship program, we own a not-for-profit coffee shop called Zera Coffee and Events Center. Zera Coffee was founded in 2009 and plays a vital role in our ministry and in our community. While in our discipleship program, our men and women have the privilege to work at Zera and get necessary job training and learn important social skills. Remember to ask them to share their testimonies when you visit for a cup of coffee. All profits generated at Zera benefit DFH. Zera is a great place to go for coffee, food, and fellowship and is now an excellent place to host events, large and small (bible studies, wedding receptions, concerts, school plays,etc.). Please visit www.zeracoffee.com for more information.
Our six -month residential program and food pantry services are provided at no cost to those in need. We will never turn someone away because they do not have insurance or money. Drug addiction and homelessness are increasing at unprecedented rates. Our services are helping to address these needs. Please consider partnering with us as we serve our community.
We are an ECFA accredited organization for financial stewardship. Please visit www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=45108 for our financial statements.
Janice Quick Named 2026 Kiwanian of the Year
Congratulations to Janice Quick on being named the Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club 2026 Kiwanian of the Year! Janice is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch and was recognized in the July 4th Robson Ranch parade. When Janice joined the club, she brought a wealth of experience, including conducting Bingo events. She is especially recognized for her skills in producing fun-filled Bingo events here at Robson Ranch.
Janice and her husband, John, moved to Robson Ranch from Maryland in 2021 and moved into their home mid-2022. They love being a part of the Westside community where Janice is also the coordinator of their Ladies Bunco group. Janice has lived on both coasts and gained her Bingo Hall experience in Silicon Valley, Calif., working in all positions of charitable Bingo. With her organizational and marketing skills, she has been able to increase attendance to sellout crowds of 330! The generosity of the Bingo players has allowed the Kiwanis Club to increase the donations of the Bingo proceeds to the children and family charities of Denton County.