ATLANTA, October 20, 2025
What’s the news?
The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (GCCA), a vital lifeline for children who have experienced abuse, exploitation, and trauma, is facing an unprecedented crisis threatening the safety and healing of hundreds of children across the state.
After a devastating 15% cut in funding, the GCCA has been forced to reduce staff and leave critical positions unfilled. The cuts have created a $550,000 shortfall, directly impacting the Center’s ability to provide essential, life-saving services including forensic interviews, therapy, and family advocacy.
As a result, more than 260 children and family members will go without the protection and support they urgently need.
“This is not just a funding crisis — it’s a child protection crisis,” said Sheila Ryan, CEO of GCCA. “For 38 years, we’ve stood on the frontlines protecting Georgia’s most vulnerable children. Now, without immediate support, we are being forced to make impossible choices about who we can serve. That is simply unacceptable.”
A Call to Action: Protect Georgia’s Children
GCCA has launched an emergency community campaign — "Keeping Kids Safe" — to raise $550,000 by year-end. The campaign urges individuals, businesses, and foundations to join forces to ensure no child is turned away when they need help most.
Every donation will go directly toward providing forensic interviews, therapy, and family advocacy, and therapy available for children in crisis.
“We need our community to stand with us,” said Vicki Kipreos, Board Chair of GCCA. “When a child has the courage to come forward, we must be ready to respond. Together, we can make sure that Georgia’s children are not the victims of budget cuts.”
What are the facts?
How You Can Help
• Donate: Every dollar helps protect a child. Visit https://tinyurl.com/SafeKids2025 to contribute.
• Corporate Challenge: Businesses can join the Keeping Kids Safe Partnership program by matching employee gifts or sponsoring a day of services.
• Join the Change Maker Society: Become a monthly donor to sustain advocacy and prevention programs.
• Spread the Word: Share GCCA’s stories and campaign using the hashtag #KeepingKidsSafe.
Advocating for Long-Term Solutions
Call or email your U.S. Senators and Representatives today and urge them to co-sponsor the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (S. 1892 and H.R. 909) to protect essential services for child victims.
Invite state and local government officials, city council members, and community leaders to tour the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to deepen their understanding and commitment to our cause.
“We are committed to fighting for a sustainable future for child advocacy,” Ryan added. “But today, we need urgent help to keep our doors open for the kids who need us right now.”
Why is this important?
For 38 years, the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (GCCA) has been a trusted and compassionate resource for children in metro Atlanta who have experienced abuse or trauma. GCCA provides comprehensive, trauma-informed services including forensic interviews, therapy, victim advocacy, and prevention education. Working closely with law enforcement, child protective services, and medical professionals, the Center ensures over 1,300 children and families receive the care, protection, and support they need to heal and thrive. GCCA is committed to creating a safer future for Georgia’s children through direct services and community-based prevention initiatives.
What are people saying?
Voices of Impact:
Aaliyah and Josiah were only 3 and 5 years old when they were forced to witness the unthinkable: the violent homicide of their mother. Through a referral to the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, Aaliyah and Josiah were able to receive immediate intervention and trauma-focused therapy that helped them process their grief and begin their healing journey. Their aunt, who stepped in to care for them, was supported through legal assistance, housing resources, and therapeutic counseling for herself after meeting with our family advocates. The difference was profound: the children began to express their emotions and heal from the trauma they had endured, and their aunt found strength and community through our family connection nights.
The aunt shared, “They treated me with respect, kindness and empathy. They listened to me, comforted me, and even let me cry without judgement. We are so grateful for all of the support and making sure the kids felt at home. Our family has a new sense of hope thanks to the GCCA.”
Aaliyah and Josiah are just two of the 1,300 resilient children we serve. Without closing this critical funding gap, the GCCA will be unable to provide the immediate support and life-changing services that children like them rely on, leaving too many vulnerable young lives at risk.
About the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is dedicated to championing the needs of abused and trafficked children through comprehensive services including prevention, intervention, therapy, and collaboration. Serving the community for over 38 years, the GCCA is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of children and families across Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy and how you can help, please visit https://georgiacenterforchildadvocacy.org/what-you-can-do/keeping-kids-safe-campaign.html
Contact: 678-904-2880
Email: Development@gacfca.org
In conjunction with our DEI Community Circles conversation around food insecurity throughout the month of April, the DEI Committee hosted our first GCCA Staff Food Drive Competition. Staff members across all departments collected non-perishable food items to support our family clients in need. Food is one of the most requested resources from clients seen by the Family Advocacy Team. We are proud to announce that GCCA was able to cumulatively collect over 520 items to support our families!
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