By Anna Robertson Ham

 

For over two decades, Davis House Child Advocacy Center has been dedicated to providing trauma-informed care to children and families navigating the challenges of abuse. From its modest beginnings to its current expansive reach, it has been a driving force behind education, growth and impact in our community.

 

The organization, which started its journey in 2000, was born out of a deep-seated need to offer specialized support to those affected by abuse. Carolyn Evans, Executive Director of Davis House who has been with the organization since 2016, explained that Davis House Child Advocacy Center was established with a mission to combat child abuse by coordinating a multi-disciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse. “Our organization provides state mandated forensic interviewing of children, clinical therapy, court advocacy and prevention education to our community,” says Carolyn. “Davis House was created in response to the overwhelming need for a safe space where children could share their story and receive the care they need in a compassionate, supportive environment.”

 

In response to the growing demand for their services, the organization opened additional facilities in Hohenwald and Centerville. Carolyn described these expansions as pivotal moments in their history. The staff has also played a huge role in helping meet the needs for the community. "The staff at Davis House is a dedicated and compassionate team, deeply committed to serving the children and families in our community,” says Carolyn. “Our teams work collaboratively with law enforcement, the Department of Children’s Services, Juvenile Court and medical professionals to ensure a comprehensive response to child abuse allegations. Their combined expertise and unwavering dedication are at the heart of everything we do.”

As the organization celebrates twenty-four years of dedicated service, there is a focus on expanding services to meet the growing needs of the community. “We aim to increase our capacity for providing therapeutic services, enhance our prevention education programs, and continue to raise awareness about child abuse and its impact. Additionally, we’re working on strengthening our outreach to ensure that every child and family in need has an opportunity to heal from the trauma of abuse,” explains Carolyn. “We want people to know that Davis House is more than just a resource for those affected by child abuse; it is a place of hope and healing. We are here to support children and families through incredibly difficult times, providing them with the care, compassion and resources they need to begin the healing process. Our work is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding and we are honored to serve our community in this way.”

The organization is always in need of volunteers from the community to assist with events, provide office support, help with prevention education initiatives, as well as spreading the word about their mission. Donations are also needed to sustain their services - whether they be monetary contributions, in-kind donations or participating in fundraising events like the Button Ball, which is their largest annual fundraiser, held this year on September 7^th at The Factory at Franklin.

 

Carolyn says that the success of Davis House is largely due to the unwavering support of the community. “We rely on private donations and foundation support for the bulk of our operating expenses as we only receive eighteen percent of our budget in grants and state funding. We are grateful to everyone who has partnered with us, from sponsors and donors to volunteers and advocates. It truly takes a village to protect our children, and we are proud to be a part of such a compassionate and proactive community.”