Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc.

06/19/2026

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

Juneteenth serves as an important reminder of our shared responsibility to create communities where every child and family feels safe, valued, and supported. At the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, we remain committed to fostering hope, healing, and opportunity for all.

As we reflect on this significant day in our nation’s history, we encourage our community to learn, listen, and celebrate the strength and contributions of Black Americans, both past and present. ❤️💛💚

06/18/2026

Sometimes the smallest moments make the biggest impact.

As the school year came to a close, students at Canterbury School Fort Myers were treated to a special visit from four remarkable therapy dogs: Oliver, George, Boomer, and Casey. From gentle pets and warm cuddles to happy tail wags and quiet companionship, these canine ambassadors brought smiles, comfort, and encouragement to students and staff alike.

The end of the school year can bring excitement, stress, and a whirlwind of emotions. Therapy dogs have a unique way of helping people slow down, take a breath, and feel supported. Throughout their visit, Oliver, George, Boomer, and Casey created moments of connection, joy, and calm that left a lasting impression on everyone they met.

We are grateful to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, Beesley's Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program, and Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida for making these meaningful visits possible. Together, we're helping create healthier, happier communities - one paw at a time.

06/16/2026

We’re excited to share that last week, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida proudly accepted a $10,000 donation through the 2nd Annual Mast Family Culligan Charity Giveaway, made possible by the incredible support of our community.

To everyone who took the time to vote, share our posts, and encourage others to support our mission, thank you. Your support helped make this achievement possible and will directly impact on the children and families we serve throughout Southwest Florida.

We are grateful to Mast Family Culligan for investing in local nonprofits and creating opportunities for the community to come together and make a difference.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue to provide hope, healing, and justice to children in our community. 💙

06/15/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Burdeshaw! 🌟

Meet Jim, a dedicated volunteer whose passion for helping others spans decades. Before retiring and moving to Florida, Jim spent 38 years working as a social worker supporting abused and neglected children and families. Today, Jim spends much of his volunteer time assisting at the East United Way Resiliency Hub food pantry, helping families select food items and ensuring shelves remain stocked, organized, and ready to serve those in need.

💛 What inspired you to start volunteering at CAC?
"After retiring, I missed being able to have a positive impact on the lives of others."
😊 What's your favorite part about volunteering?
"Interacting with staff and clients."
⭐ Most memorable volunteer moment?
"Being invited to a staff birthday lunch and being told I was part of the family now."
👤 If you could invite any famous person to volunteer with you for a day, who would it be and why?
"Barack Obama. He was the best President of my lifetime, whose knowledge and experiences would be fascinating to hear."
💬 What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering?
"Volunteering not only helps others, but it also gives you the feeling that you are making a difference in the lives of others."
💙 How has volunteering at CAC of SWFL impacted you personally?
"Volunteering has given me a sense that I am making a difference in the lives of others. It is my way of paying forward the good life I have been blessed to have."

Thank you, Jim, for sharing your time, experience, and compassion with the children and families we serve. We're grateful to have you as part of the CAC family!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with CAC, please reach out to Gwen Vertus at [email protected] to learn more.

06/12/2026

May was an incredible month for our Community Outreach team! We had the opportunity to train 94 adults throughout our community on child abuse prevention, safety, and ways to better support children and families. We are grateful to have partnered with organizations including the Fort Myers YMCA, St. Matthew's House, Inc., Source Of Light & Hope Development Center, The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center and many other dedicated community members who are committed to creating safer environments for children.

Every adult we educate becomes another protective factor in a child's life. Together, we are building a stronger, more informed community where children can thrive. Thank you to all who participated and helped make this impact possible. We look forward to continuing this important work throughout the year!

06/10/2026

We're grateful to Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, HBKS Wealth Advisors, LMCU, and other community partners for coming together to host a Summer Toy & Clothing Drive benefiting the children and families served by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida! 🧸☀️👕

This wonderful community effort was recently featured by Beach Talk Radio. To learn more about the drive, donation locations, and how you can help, check out the article below.

🔗 https://beachtalkradionews.com/beach-bank-helping-with-toy-drive/

Thank you to these community partners for helping make a difference for local children!

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is collecting new toys, clothing and essential household items throughout June to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. If you live on Fort Myers Beach, there is a drop-off site.

06/09/2026

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida is honored to receive a $25,000 grant from The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida to expand child abuse prevention services for children and families throughout our region. This investment will help strengthen early intervention programs that provide families with the tools, education, and support they need before challenges become crises.

By focusing on prevention, we can help create safer, healthier futures for children across Southwest Florida.

We are deeply grateful to the Women’s Giving Circle and its members for their commitment to strengthening families and supporting the well-being of our community's children. Together, we are building a future where every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and thriving. 💙

06/08/2026

A big thank you to Papa John's Pizza - Southwest Florida for choosing the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida as their Hometown Hero this summer! 🍕☀️

Throughout the summer, Papa John's will be treating our staff with coupons and gift cards as a way to recognize the important work they do for children and families in our community.

We are so grateful for this thoughtful gesture and for community partners like Papa John's who help make our team feel appreciated. Thank you for supporting the people behind our mission and adding a little extra fun to their summer!

06/05/2026

🐾 Beesley’s Spotlight: Ozzie & Ron 🐾

Ozzie’s journey into therapy dog work began at a dog park, where a trainer named Becky noticed how naturally he connected with both people and other dogs. Calm, attentive, and incredibly people-focused, Ozzie was invited to begin training with the team two years ago, and from the very first visits, both he and his handler were hooked.

Ozzie is calm, patient, and sweet, with a special ability to sense when someone needs comfort. Whether he’s laying beside a patient in bed, sitting with clients on the floor, or listening to Kindergarteners read stories, Ozzie thrives on connection and truly loves every person he meets. Through this journey, his handler has learned just how many lonely people simply need interaction, unconditional love, or even just a quick kiss on the hand from a dog like Ozzie.

As a rescue dog, Ozzie came with his name already picked out, and luckily, it suited him perfectly. Now he definitely knows it and happily responds whenever someone calls for him.

For Ozzie’s handler, therapy dog work is about sharing the joy and comfort Ozzie brings to others. From young children to seniors, every visit is an opportunity to brighten someone’s day and remind them they are seen, valued, and cared for.

Beesley’s Paw Prints Therapy Dog Program is proudly sponsored by United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, whose support helps make these meaningful visits possible throughout our community. 🐶💙

06/02/2026

The Gulfshore Business Best Places to Work issue has officially been released, and we’re proud to share that the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida has been recognized as one of the 27 Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida for 2026! 🎉

This honor reflects the passion, dedication, and heart our team brings to serving children and families every day. From fostering a supportive workplace culture to advancing our mission of hope and healing, our staff makes CAC a place where meaningful work and compassionate people come together.

We are incredibly grateful for our team, whose commitment and compassion make this recognition possible. Thank you to every staff member who helps create a culture of purpose, support, and excellence each day. We’re honored to be included among Southwest Florida’s best workplaces! 💙

Read more: gulfshorebusiness.com/best-places-to-work