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The Center Celebrates 25 Years of Service to NELA

The Center for Children & Families is proud to announce its

25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of promoting safe, healthy environments for

children and families across Louisiana and Mississippi. Since its inception in 1999, The Center

has provided advocacy, counseling, education, and preventative services for thousands of

children and families in their darkest moments.

Over the past 25 years, The Center for Children & Families has grown from a small Court

Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Monroe, Louisiana into a nationally

recognized and accredited non-profit organization serving over 4,000 clients yearly. The Center

has innovatively expanded its services and locations according to the needs of communities and

clients. Currently, there are nearly 275 staff and volunteers who serve throughout four regional

locations: Monroe, Crowley, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Clinton, Mississippi. Through its

comprehensive programs and services, The Center has:

• Supported Thousands of Children and Families: Providing critical resources,

counseling, advocacy, and support to child victims of abuse, neglect, human trafficking,

and witnesses to violent crime.

• Launched Innovative Programs: Including mentorship to youth in correctional

facilities, in-home mental health counseling programs, and community educational

workshops to empower families.

• Partnered with Local Schools and Agencies: Collaborating with social service

agencies, court systems, community businesses, and foundations to create a network of

care and support.

• Expanded Services Across State Lines: Growing operations to serve communities

where children need care. From rural northeast Louisiana, services have expanded to

Shreveport and Crowley, Louisiana, and crossed state lines into Clinton, Mississippi.

The Center has worked to see that no family is left behind, regardless of their location.

"Our mission has always been about showing up for those who need it the most, seeing value in

every person, and offering hope that things can be better”, said Dr. Matthew Thornton, Chief

Executive Officer of The Center for Children & Families. "We are deeply grateful to our

dedicated board of directors, staff, generous donors, partnering agencies, and the resilient



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