potrero view

May 2009

Child Abuse Prevention Center Holds Luncheon

By Jim Van Buskirk

The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center’s 12th annual blue ribbon luncheon attracted a capacity crowd of 570 supporters, filling the Ritz Carlton Hotel’s ballroom, and raising more than $300,000.  Congressperson Jackie Speier, City Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and San Francisco First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom were in attendance.

Juanita Alvarado, a long-time client and Center Parent Advisory Committee member, offered a poignant testimonial detailing how 13 years ago, as a single mother of two, addicted to drugs and alcohol, escaping an abusive relationship, she had “no home, no hope.” Accompanied at the event by her young son, she eloquently paid tribute to the Center, which had helped her gain her independence.

Executive Director Katie Albright introduced her mother, keynote speaker Madeleine K. Albright, by recounting that her six year old daughter didn’t understand what was so special about “Grandma Maddy” being U.S. Secretary of State. After all, from her perspective, being a female Secretary of State wasn’t an uncommon phenomenon. Her slightly older brother clarified things for her, “But Grandma Maddy was the first.” In 1997, as the 64th Secretary of State, Dr. Albright was the highest ranking woman in US government history.

A consummate speaker, Dr. Albright made a direct connection between establishing playground rules and enforcing bed times with the skills developed for international relations. She emphasized that child abuse was more widespread and complex than is commonly realized, extending across the globe and impacting all elements of the human condition. Invoking prevention diplomacy, she reiterated that “networks are essential.”

The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center’s Haight-Ashbury headquarters serves families from across San Francisco and from virtually all ethnic groups. Of the families receiving direct services last year, 93 percent were extremely low-income or low-income…18 percent were homeless or living in family shelters.” Women comprised 80 percent of the parents served, more than half of them single moms.  Support is provided in Chinese languages, Spanish, Tagalog and English.

The community-based nonprofit Center supports a number of programs, including the 24/7 TALK line, where trained volunteers handle more the 13,500 calls annually from parents and caregivers in crisis.  Therapists provide thousands of hours of free or low-cost counseling to adults, children and couples, as well as crisis counseling, group support and case management. The Children’s playroom offers drop-in care to more than 475 kids a year. The Child Safety Awareness program educates elementary school children and their parents about vital safety skills. The Child Abuse Council trains school educators, police officers, medical professionals, and social service providers to be able to identify and report suspected abuse.  And the Center’s Safe Start Initiative is a City-wide effort to reduce the effects of violence on young children.

In his closing remarks, Chris Keane, ppresident of the board of the directors, cited statistics that as economic conditions worsen the incidence of child abuse increases. A silent auction of Center children’s artwork followed the event.

For more information: http://www.sfcapc.org/.

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