Child Advocates Inc.

14/08/2026

As child advocates, we know how important it is to have healthy families and that includes making time for *family* time.

August is National Family Fun Month, so if you are working and not finding time for 'playing' or creating memorable moments with your children...at any age...this is a reminder.

With summer still upon us, you can even find affordable fun ideas such as a family bike ride, a picnic at a park, pitching a tent in the backyard and making homemade s'mores.

Or how about a family talent show or simply heading to the movies or a museum?

There are so many ways to create family memories.

Research shows that also helps families build strong emotional bonds, improves everyone's mental health, and builds children's confidence and their sense of family support.

So what are you waiting for? If you haven't made enough time for *family time* this summer, there is always tomorrow.

We believe in every child's well-being, and family bonding is at the heart of that for each one of them...no matter what the age!

24/07/2026

As Child Advocates we know firsthand that 'it takes a village' to serve children in need. We cannot do it alone.

So every year, we are grateful for those who care about vulnerable children, as we do, and help us provide them with every opportunity to have a bright future.

Today, we thank the Indiana Bar Foundation for continuing to support our work through a generous gift that helps us advocate for children in the child welfare system, in schools, and in communities.

The Indiana Bar Foundation awarded a portion of $5.2 million to 13 nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to providing civil legal assistance to low-income Hoosiers.

As child advocates, we provide free legal services for children who were placed in the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect.

We help them secure a safe and loving home.

⭐Our attorneys stand up for older children and their rights in court.

⭐And our attorney mediators help resolve conflicts between all parties involved in the children's lives. That can prevent long court trials so that children can leave the child welfare system sooner.

In the last 40-plus years, we have served more than 100,000 children and youth across Indiana.

Thank you, Indiana Bar Foundation, for helping us continue to fight for justice, opportunity, and well-being for each of them.

13/07/2026

Can you imagine going to court, with your future on the line, without an attorney to represent your case?

Indiana is one of only a handful of states that does not mandate an attorney for children who are in the child welfare system due to abuse and neglect.

Their abuser has a right to an attorney but the children placed in the system do not.

That is why Child Advocates broke new ground, nearly 6 years ago, by creating our Direct Representation program.

Our attorneys in that program stand up for older children in the system.

They fight for their rights in court.

They advocate for what they want.

And they empower them to help determine their future.

In our "Champions of Children Podcast: Removing Barriers. Creating Opportunity" you will hear from our Director of Direct Representation who helped launch the program six years ago.

She says, "Overwhelmingly foster children are not appointed attorneys even when they go to these very restrictive, locked residential facilities. So they really have very little communication with the outside world."

And you will hear one boy's poignant story of finding a loving home after spending years in a residential facility.

Our attorneys never give up. They fight for justice, opportunity, and well-being for every child.

Learn more about our work and subscribe to our podcast here: https://childadvocates.net/

12/07/2026

Can you answer these questions?

What is the most popular drink in the world that does not have alcohol?

OR:

What is the only mammal capable of true, sustained flight?

If you guessed correctly, or if you would simply like to have fun trying, you are ready for a fun night out on the town for a serious cause.

You will be supporting the children we serve who were placed in the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect.

Or children across Indiana who face challenges to their success in school.

💙Make a difference in their lives by registering today for our annual Trivia Night presented by Citizens Energy Group!

This important fundraiser is coming up on Thursday evening, September 24, from 6 to 9 pm. It takes place at the Cinderwood Event Center in downtown Indy.

⭐ Start building your team today and have a night of laughing and guessing with your friends, family, or work colleagues that you won’t forget!

So, here are the answers to the questions above to help get you ready to meet the challenge:

What is the most popular drink in the world that does not have alcohol?

➡️Coffee

What is the only mammal capable of true, sustained flight?

➡️A bat

Even if you guessed incorrectly, the fun is in playing the game itself and building team camaraderie.

Register for Trivia Night today and make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

We can’t wait to see you there! Click here: https://childadvocates.net/trivia-night-2026/

Child Advocates champions children and families throughout Indiana by advocating for justice, access to opportunity, and fostering well-being. 

03/07/2026

For years Child Advocates, a nonprofit serving children in the child welfare system, has always sought new and unique ways to address their needs.

We have even broken new ground with some of our services.

Today, we are the only organization in Indiana offering free, in-house attorneys to represent older children in the child welfare system, and their rights, in court.

Their abuser has a right to an attorney but almost every other state in the U.S., except Indiana, ensures that children have counsel, too.

Rachel Vilensky, an award-winning attorney who serves as the Director of our Direct Representation Program, says:

"The system, itself, is causing them more trauma because they feel so disconnected from what is going in."

And she states, "The person most impacted in the child welfare case *is* the child."

In our Child Advocates' blog, Rachel, discusses her concerns about the child welfare system and its impact, in particular, on the lives of older children.

She also discusses her hopes for Child Advocates' involvement in a unique research project, with the University of Notre Dame, to help determine the benefits of attorneys for children in the system.

The university chose our Direct Representation attorneys to conduct the research.

Learn more in our new blog from Rachel Vilensky: https://bit.ly/4eH31lt

21/06/2026

"To the world, you are a dad. To our family, you are the world." - author unknown

Those words speak to the impact that a father has on his children.

Fathers are often seen by their children as role models, playmates, and protectors.

And studies show that a loving and nurturing father is important to a child's self-esteem, happiness, well-being, and success in school and life.

As child advocates, we have witnessed the impact fathers have on their children's lives and how much a healthy, loving home can change their future.

Your role is critical to their development. We hope you have a wonderful Father's Day!

🌟👨‍👧‍👦

09/06/2026

If you like competition, teamwork, fun, and community service all wrapped up in one event, then we have a special night for you!

It's almost time for Child Advocates' annual Trivia Night which benefits the vulnerable children we serve in the child welfare system and in communities.

Our attorneys help children and youth secure safe homes, and our Educational Liaisons help children and teens overcome obstacles to their success in school.

Trivia Night is coming up on Thursday, September 24, at 6 pm, at the Cinderwood Event Center in downtown Indianapolis.

As the momentum builds, we want to thank our Presenting Sponsor: Citizens Energy Group!✨👏

We succeed in serving children and youth across Indiana because of our wonderful supporters year-round.

And it's not too late to be a sponsor! We have other sponsorships available, as well.

Make a difference in a child's life. Learn more about the sponsorships, which help support our work, and register your Trivia Night team, today!

Click here: https://lnkd.in/gnA6DCfs

08/06/2026

When you are a child advocate, you care about fighting for a better future for every child and youth.

And that includes serving other vulnerable youth across Indiana.

Our Direct Representation attorneys at Child Advocates stand up for the rights of older children, in the child welfare system, in court.

But they also go into the community to serve other young people who are facing life challenges and obstacles.

🌟They offer them knowledge that could help alter the course of their lives.

Last week Rachel Vilensky, an attorney and the director of our Direct Representation program, and Alexis Hatchard, another attorney in the program, headed to the Marion County Detention Center to host a workshop for youth there which Rachel titled, "Know Your Rights".

Rachel invited two juvenile public defenders to join them for the workshop.

Rachel, who was a former juvenile public defender before joining Child Advocates, says, "Everyone should know the rights our country affords them, and what to do if they believe those rights are being violated."

She continues, "Many children in our community have a distrust towards police or authority figures, and sometimes that mistrust is warranted. We teach them what to do if they think something that happened to them was wrong, and how a lawyer can help."

The workshop reviews their basic civil rights such as the right to counsel, right to free speech, and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by police officers and other members of the government.

Rachel and Alexis also set up a mock court trial for the youth as part of the workshop. And Rachel says, "I love seeing them play the roles of judges and attorneys. These kids have so much potential and it’s fun to see them role play who they may be one day."

And that is at the heart of this community workshop. Our attorneys reveal new possibilities to young people, expanding their vision for all of life's options.

👉And this workshop reminds them that where they started does not have to be where they finish.

As child advocates, we believe in children's rights, new beginnings, and new hope for every child and youth. They deserve a brighter future.

What new possibilities do you think could open up if every young person had support?

27/05/2026

Studies show that up to 80 percent of children who have been placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect in their home, have significant mental health issues.

The number for the general population is 18 to 22%, so the difference is staggering.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a nonprofit that serves children who have been placed in the child welfare system, we find that statistic heartbreaking.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says mental and behavioral health is "the greatest unmet health need" for foster children and teens. They experience more anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental or behavioral health issues.

The causes? The trauma at home that led to their placement in the child welfare system. Stress once they are in the system. And the instability associated with unexpected change.

We honor Mental Health Awareness month as a reminder to families about the impact of our home environment on our children.

if you are repeating abusive patterns that you learned in your home as a child, if you fear your child has been abused by others, or if you simply want parenting resources, here is a place to start:https://bit.ly/4u4i39o

You have the power to help change your child's life and their mental health.

25/05/2026

🌟Memorial Day is a day to honor some of our nation's heroes. May we never forget.

Today, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As we gather with family and friends, we hope you celebrate the day with a spirit of gratitude and take time to remember their legacy.

Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a day at the park, or simply enjoying time with loved ones, we hope you and those you love make this day special in their honor. ❤️💙

What are your plans for Memorial Day? Share in the comments below! 👇