Minnesota Children's Alliance

Every year, 3,000 children in Minnesota find hope and support at a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) after disclosing or reporting abuse. A safe, welcoming place to talk can be life-changing for children and their families as they begin the healing process. Give to the Max this November to accompany kids on their journey.

At the Minnesota Children's Alliance, we work with 13 CACs across the state, offering a refuge where kids can share their experiences just once in a way that doesn't re-traumatize them. A forensic interviewer, trained to talk to children in a developmentally appropriate and neutral way, helps ensure each child's voice is heard without the fear of having to relive their trauma multiple times.

Caregivers Know CACs Matter

For many caregivers, the experience at a CAC makes all the difference:

"I was really impressed with the environment. It was warm and inviting, not like an office but more like someone's living room. They were really good about talking to her, engaging with me, and checking up on us."

CACs take a team approach to supporting families every step of the way. Advocates connect families to resources such as mental health support and safe housing and help them navigate the often-confusing legal process. Medical and mental health providers use trauma-informed care to aid children on their journey to healing.

"They gave coping mechanisms that might help her calm down at night or at school, and guided me on how to lightly explain some things to the school… They helped me learn how to provide emotional support to her through the process."

Your gift to the Minnesota Children's Alliance helps expand the reach of our CACs, ensuring every Minnesota child has a safe place to go and the support they need to heal from abuse.

Make a Difference on Give to the Max

Donate today to support children's healing and give them a brighter future. Together, we can be there for every child who needs us.

Early giving for Give to the Max is happening now through November 20. Each donation during this period enters the Alliance in the running for a daily $500 Golden Ticket prize—can you help us get there?

On November 21, Golden Ticket prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes. Give to the Max!

Find Your Local CAC

Many CACs across Minnesota are also participating in Give to the Max Day. You can also support the following centers on GiveMN! Find the CAC nearest to you.

• Child and Family Advocacy Center of South Central Minnesota
• Child's Place
• CornerHouse
• Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota
• First Witness
• North Star Family Advocacy Center
• Southwest Crisis Center – Child Advocacy Program

Find additional Minnesota CACs on their websites

• Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center (make sure to designate "Child Advocacy Center")
• Matty's Place at Family and Children's Center 
• Matty's Place (Winona, MN)
• Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Health Children and Adolescents (Select "Other" and specify "MCCSHCA")
• Midwest Children's Resource Center (select "Other" and specify "Midwest Children's Resource Center")
• Red River Children's Advocacy Center
• White Earth Tribal Child Advocacy Center

What's a Children's Advocacy Center?

A children's advocacy center is a child-focused, facility-based program in which representatives from many disciplines, including law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical, and victim advocacy, work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about the investigation, treatment, management, and prosecution of child abuse cases.