Fannin County Children's Center

Kim Skidmore will be returning to the Children’s Center as our new Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Fannin County Children’s Center is pleased to announce that Kim Skidmore will be the next Executive Director of the local nonprofit that has been serving abused and neglected children for more than thirty years.

Soon after Skidmore graduated from Austin College in 2008, she came to work for the Fannin County Children’s Center as a CAC Program Specialist. In that role she learned how to do forensic interviews, family advocacy and multidisciplinary team coordination as part of the Children’s Advocacy Center. After nearly two years of service, Skidmore left the Children’s Center to move back to Dallas, where she grew up. She worked for another nonprofit for two years and then became an investigator for Child Protective Services. She eventually ended up at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center where she resumed her work as a forensic interviewer for more than nine years. She rose in the ranks of this work, becoming a leader and trainer in the field.

“While it is hard to see Sandy retire, the Board of Directors is thrilled to have Kim join our team,” said Bill Wilson, Children’s Center Board President. “She brings a wealth of Children’s Advocacy Center experience to the position, and she is a recognized expert in her field. Kim’s excitement is infectious, and she has a strong connection to the mission of the Center. Also, I want to thank the FCCC leadership and board members who served on the Search Committee. Their time commitment and passion for a thorough evaluation process is very much appreciated.”

“I feel so lucky to have come full circle and to be invited back to a community that ignited my passion for this work fifteen years ago,” said Skidmore. “I feel humbled to continue the work of Sandy’s legacy and feel honored to take the helm of such a growing community.”

After more than 22 years as the Center’s Executive Director, Sandy Barber is retiring effective June 30. “I am thrilled that Kim is returning to where it all began for her. She has a passion for serving kids from hard places as well as the skills, experience and knowledge to take the lead at the Children’s Center. It makes it easier for me to pass the baton on to the next director knowing that this center will be in very good and capable hands.”

Skidmore will start work on June 12, which will give her three weeks to learn from her predecessor. Even after Barber has left full time employment at the Center, plans include a consulting contract with the center so Barber can continue to support Skidmore as she grows into the leadership position. “My goal is to support Kim to the best of my ability to ensure a smooth transition,” said Barber.

The Board of Directors and staff of the Children’s Center will be hosting a Meet and Greet reception for Kim Skidmore on Wednesday, June 21. All are welcome to come and go from 4:30 to 6 pm at the center at 112 W. 5th in Bonham.

The Board of Directors and staff of the Children’s Center will also be hosting a Retirement Party for Sandy Barber on Wednesday, July 5. All are welcome to join the celebration from 4:30 – 6:00 pm at the Roy Floyd Community Center at 1100 W. 5th in Bonham.

After more than 22 years as the Executive Director of the Fannin County Children’s Center, Sandy Barber is retiring.  Including her prior experience at North Texas Youth Connection, Barber has worked in the nonprofit and child welfare field for more than 31 years.

When Barber stepped into the leadership role at the Children’s Center, the nonprofit had four employees and an annual operating budget of about $150,000.  Under her leadership, the agency has grown to nine employees and expanded services to kids from hard places.

“While the board is disappointed to lose Sandy, we fully support her decision to begin the next phase of her life journey,” said Bill Wilson, Board President.  “Sandy has graciously agreed to a long notice period while we search for a replacement and she will actively support the transition, once a replacement is hired.”

Barber plans to remain active in the community and looks forward to serving in different roles.

“It has been my joy and honor to do this work for so long,” said Barber.  “I am committed to doing my part to make sure the transition is smooth as possible.”

Anyone interested in applying for the Executive Director position is encouraged to visit the center’s website for more information: www.FanninCCC.org.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is making plans for several celebrations and activities in the month of April. Not only will it be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month, but April 2023 also marks the 30-year anniversary of serving children for this local nonprofit.

On Thursday, April 6, the Children’s Center is hosting an online Spring Bake Sale. This event is part of the 30-year celebration and all funds raised will benefit all the programs and services the center provides free of charge to victims of child abuse. Bidding will be online starting at 9 am and ending at 5:30 pm on Thursday, April 6. Winners can pick up their goodies at the center on Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7:00 pm or Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. This will be a great way to pick up some sweet, homemade treats for any family gatherings planned for the Easter weekend. The bidding link is available on the agency website.

Friday, April 14 is Go Blue Day in Texas. It is a day to wear blue in honor or memory of victims of child abuse. The center encourages folks to snap photos in their blue and post with hashtags such as #GoBlueForKids and #NoExcuseForChildAbuse.

On Thursday, April 27 the center is hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration at the Complex in Bonham. Doors will open at 6 pm. The evening will include a catered dinner, guest speaker Jenna Quinn and awards. As a survivor who benefited from the services of a Children’s Advocacy Center, Jenna Quinn was first asked to speak in public and share her testimony as a young teenager. Since then, she has pioneered the national child sexual abuse prevention movement since 2004. She is also an author, TED speaker, trainer, and the namesake of Jenna’s Law legislation on the state and federal level. Tickets and tables will go on sale soon. Tickets and tables are on sale now.

Blue Sunday is April 30. This is a day for faith communities to say prayers for victims of child abuse as well as the professionals and volunteers who serve these young victims. Ideas and free resources are available at www.BlueSunday.org.

The Fannin County Children’s Center’s mission is promoting safety and improving the lives of abused and neglected children. The center started serving children in 1993 with the CASA program. In 1999, the Children’s Advocacy Center was started. Over the last 30 years, other programs and services have been added to better serve victims of child abuse and to prevent abuse. To learn more, go to www.FanninCCC.org or call (903) 583-4339.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is making plans for several celebrations and activities in the month of April. Not only will it be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month, but April 2023 also marks the 30-year anniversary of serving children for this local nonprofit.

On Thursday, April 6, the Children’s Center will be hosting an online Spring Bake Sale. This event will be part of the 30 year celebration and funds raised will benefit all of the programs and services the center provides free of charge to victims of child abuse. Bidding will be online starting at 9 am and ending at 5:30 pm on Thursday, April 6. Winners can pick up their goodies at the center on Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7:00 pm or Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. This will be a great way to pick up some sweet, homemade treats for any family gatherings planned for the Easter weekend. Anyone wishing to donate baked goods should contact Amira, Kesly or Sandy at (903) 583-4339 or info@fanninccc.org. The bidding link will be posted on the center’s website at www.FanninCCC.org and social media pages.

Friday, April 14 is Go Blue Day in Texas. It is a day to wear blue in honor or memory of victims of child abuse. The center has blue shirts available for purchase, but any blue shirt will do. The link to the online store is available on the center’s website www.FanninCCC.org and social media pages. Shirts must be purchase by 3 pm on March 28 and will be available for pick up at the Center by April 4, in time for Go Blue Day. Shirts can be also shipped for a fee.

On Thursday, April 27 the center will be hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration at the Complex in Bonham. Doors will open at 6 pm. The evening will include a catered dinner, guest speaker Jenna Quinn and awards. As a survivor who benefited from the services of a Children’s Advocacy Center, Jenna Quinn was first asked to speak in public and share her testimony as a young teenager. Since then, she has pioneered the national child sexual abuse prevention movement since 2004. She is also an author, TED speaker, trainer, and the namesake of Jenna’s Law legislation on the state and federal level. Tickets and tables will go on sale soon. Information will be available soon on the center’s website and social media pages.

Blue Sunday is April 30. This is a day for faith communities to say prayers for victims of child abuse as well as the professionals and volunteers who serve these young victims. Ideas and free resources are available at www.BlueSunday.org.

The Fannin County Children’s Center’s mission is promoting safety and improving the lives of abused and neglected children. The center started serving children in 1993 with the CASA program. In 1999, the Children’s Advocacy Center was started. Over the last 30 years, other programs and services have been added to better serve victims of child abuse and to prevent abuse. To learn more, go to www.FanninCCC.org or call (903) 583-4339.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is offering free training for adults to learn how to recognize and respond child abuse. The class is designed for parents, teachers, other school personnel, day care workers, coaches, Sunday School teachers and other professionals and volunteers who work with children.

“Recognizing & Reporting” is a 1.5 hour class that utilizes video, class discussion and case studies. Learning objectives include: the realities of child abuse, detailing who becomes victims, who the likely perpetrators are and the prevalence of abuse in all communities, the legal definitions, signs and symptoms of child abuse, how to communicate with a child who makes a disclosure of abuse, how to make a report and how to overcome one’s fear’s and barriers around reporting. This class will be offered on Monday, March 6, 2023 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Children’s Center at 112 West Fifth Street in Bonham.

All participants who successfully complete the class will receive a certificate. There is no charge for the classes, thanks to generous support from local donors. Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. Registration is available online at www.FanninCCC.org.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is a private, non-profit organization. Its mission is promoting safety and improving the lives of abused and neglected children. Programs include CASA, Children’s Advocacy Center and child abuse prevention efforts.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is seeking volunteers for a variety of roles, including CASA advocates for children in foster care, CAC volunteers who supervise children and families at the center, Rainbow Room volunteers who organize clothing and other supplies, Honey Doers who help with minor repairs and maintenance and Hospitality Team who prepare food for various meetings and trainings.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is one of several programs offered by the Fannin County Children’s Center for the benefit of abused and neglected children. CASA is seeking adult volunteers who can complete training and pass background checks to be appointed by the 336th District Court to serve as Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care.

In that role, CASA volunteers regularly visit their assigned child or sibling group and gather information from parents, other family, teachers, medical personnel, therapists and others in order to make recommendations to the court on what will be in the child’s best interest. They prepare court reports and testify at court hearings too. Many CASA advocates successfully manage to volunteer while also working full time and spending time with their families.

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is another program of the Children’s Center. Compassionate CAC volunteers are needed to supervise children, youth and families who are at the center for interviews or counseling. Other volunteers are needed for tasks not directly working with children, such as organizing clothes and other items in the Rainbow Room, helping with light repairs and maintenance of the building and preparing food for various meetings and trainings.

There will be an informational session on Tuesday, February 7 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the center. Information about all the volunteer opportunities available at the center will be reviewed, as well as information about the application process and training requirements. Attendance at the information session is not a requirement to become a volunteer, however, it is a helpful step to learning more about what it takes to be a volunteer and give an opportunity to ask questions. Attending the info session will not obligate anyone to become a volunteer.

The next training sessions for CASA volunteers will start March 7. Participants will gain knowledge and learn skills needed to become an advocate for abused children in foster care.

Applications are now being accepted for all types of volunteers at the Children’s Center. The deadline to apply to be in the next CASA training class is Feb 28. For more information about the Children’s Center and the volunteer opportunities, visit www.fanninccc.org and/or call (903) 583-4339.

The Fannin County Children’s Center is currently seeking donations for their annual Christmas Drive. Last year, generous donors made it possible for 315 children and youth served by the center to get presents of clothing, coats, shoes, toys and other gifts. Organizers expect to serve a similar number of children this year.

Some of the children helped by this project are living in foster homes, away from family and friends. Other children have gone to live with grandparents or other relatives as a result of abuse or neglect. Many of these families struggle financially when one or more children suddenly come to live with them. In other families, the discovery of sexual abuse in the home has meant the loss of family income when the offender leaves.

Donations of cash, toys, new coats, new hoodies, shoes and other items are now being accepted.

Teddy bear trees, which contain wishes or needs are going up at several local businesses including: Brookshire’s, Blessings & Butterflies, Bonham Chrysler, CapTex Bank (Bonham & Trenton), Farm N Home Casualty, First United Bank (Bonham & Leonard), Legend Bank, Stay Grounded Coffee Company, Tax-Assessor Collector’s Office (Tag Office), Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, and WalMart

For donors who are short on time, the center also accepts cash donations which will be used to purchase gifts for the children. The center also has an Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/fTwO7Kb

Donations can be brought or mailed to the center at 112 West Fifth Street, Bonham, Texas 75418. The center is open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday – Friday, with extended hours until 6 pm on Dec 6-8.

Organizers ask that the donations arrive by Dec 9, or earlier if possible. This will allow time for gifts to be sorted and delivered in time for the holidays. Checks should be made out to FCCC and indicate they are for Christmas. Donations can also be made by online on the center’s website. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. For more information, call 903-583-4339 or visit www.fanninccc.org.