Braveheart Children's Advocacy Center

Braveheart Children's Advocacy Center Providing free services to child abuse victims. One person interviews the child while team members observe from another room through a closed circuit TV.

Our Mission: To strengthen our community’s response to child abuse through prevention, intervention and advocacy. Braveheart coordinates our community's response to reports of child sexual abuse, severe child physical abuse, or witness to other traumatic crime. Before Children's Advocacy Centers, kids and teens had to be interviewed and share their story over and over again, to each individual age

ncy involved. Now, team members from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), law enforcement, State’s Attorney’s Office's and specialized providers come together at Braveheart. This coordinated team effort reduces the number of interviews a child must go through during the course of an investigation. The interview is recorded to capture a permanent record of the child or teen's statement. Braveheart staff provide support to families through the investigation and criminal court process. Braveheart maintains contact with the team members involved and is able to keep the family informed as the case travels through the different systems. The staff provides advocacy, education, case management, and referral services.

06/10/2026

☀️ Summer break means more free time—and often more screen time. Increased online activity can also mean increased exposure to potential online dangers.

This Internet Safety Month, take time to talk with your kids about staying safe online, protecting personal information, and coming to a trusted adult if something doesn't feel right.

Check out the Know2Protect family guide for tips and resources, and help spread the word about online safety this summer!

We would like to give a huge shoutout, and thank you, to our board president, Ralph Brown. Ralph has spent many days wor...
06/05/2026

We would like to give a huge shoutout, and thank you, to our board president, Ralph Brown. Ralph has spent many days working to make our space more modern and cohesive. He has painted, rearranged, added our logo, and much more. Thank you Ralph for your dedication to our center!

06/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4th, 2026

The Kewanee Police Department has arrested Joseph Hardy, 19, of Kewanee, following an investigation involving two victims. Hardy was arrested on June 2, 2026, and has been charged with the following offenses:

Victim 1:
Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Class 3 Felony
Solicitation of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Class 1 Felony

Victim 2:
Three counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, Class 1 Felonies

In Illinois, a Class 1 felony carries a potential sentence of 4 to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Hardy is scheduled to appear at the Henry County Courthouse on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Due to the nature of the investigation and to protect the privacy of the victims, no further details will be released.

The Kewanee Police Department is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Joseph Hardy, or anyone with additional information related to this investigation, to contact the
Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911.

Hardy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

We appreciate all of the work Mike has done for CACI over the years. We wish him the best of luck in his future!
06/03/2026

We appreciate all of the work Mike has done for CACI over the years. We wish him the best of luck in his future!

After nine years of dedicated service to Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois, we want to extend our sincere gratitude and best wishes to Mike Burns, our Statewide MDT Coordinator, as he begins his next chapter.

Throughout his time with CACI, Mike has been an invaluable resource and trusted partner for multidisciplinary team members and Children's Advocacy Centers across Illinois. His knowledge, commitment, and unwavering support have strengthened our network and helped countless professionals better serve children and families.

Please join us in thanking Mike for his dedication and wishing him continued success in all that lies ahead. We know he will continue making a difference.

06/01/2026

Summer Slump is real and it doesn’t only impact you academically but emotionally as well.

Keep those social skills sharp!

05/30/2026

This is huge. Please contact us if interested ,Wyanet ,Buda and Sheffield

05/22/2026

Calling All Golfers!

Kewanee Firefighters Local 513 Charity Golf Outing will be held July 25th, 2026 at Midland Golf Club. $85 cost includes your golf and dinner after the round. We look forward to this playday every year, as it is our biggest fundraiser of the year! Please consider becoming a hole sponsor for a $50 donation, or donate a raffle prize for all to try and win! All of the proceeds from the playday are donated throughout the year to charities in our community and surrounding areas. Please contact us at one of the methods below to get your team and/or sponsorships signed up!

(309) 852-2115
[email protected]

05/21/2026

We have Preschool for All screenings coming up on May 27th and 28th and July 28 & 29, 2026!

Our Preschool program is open to ALL students. The only requirement is age verification!

Give us a call to book your child's screening - (309) 852-4626

05/21/2026

Address

292 S East Road, Ste A
Cambridge, IL
61238

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(309) 937-5663

Website

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