Our annual celebration, Speak Up for Children, presented by Kilpatrick Townsend, was held on October 5th at Forsyth Country Club. The event salutes the work of Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina (CLC) and its mission to provide children with quality legal advocacy focusing on domestic violence issues, high conflict custody cases and the rights of children in public education. Each October, our community comes together to raise awareness of the critical role CLC plays as an advocate for children in both Forsyth and Guilford counties. Over 200 friends and supporters from across the Triad gathered on a beautiful fall evening in Winston Salem. The auction included local and regional items and experiences generously donated by individuals and businesses who believe in Children’s Law Center’s work. In addition to Presenting Sponsor Kilpatrick Townsend, over 35 other sponsors supported the event including Voice Sponsors Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey and Rebecca & Todd Chase. Proceeds from the event directly support CLC’s programs and operations.

Rich Keshian, a longtime supporter of Children’s Law Center since its founding in 2005, serves as a volunteer attorney for CLC and served on our Board of Directors. Rich kicked off our celebration with strong words on behalf of Presenting Sponsor Kilpatrick Townsend, “The mission of the Children’s Law Center is vital for the community and the role CLC plays within our court system, representing those without a voice, is golden.” The celebration of this year’s accomplishments highlighted the expansion of services in Guilford County to include high conflict custody cases and the launch of the new Education Advocacy Program in Forsyth County. Executive Director Iris Sunshine described 2023’s exciting events and future potential, “With growth and expansion must come change. CLC is entering an inspiring phase of its evolution and as we look ahead the organization is on a positive, dynamic and upward trajectory.” In fact, in the first nine months of 2023 Children’s Law Center has surpassed the number of children served in the entire 2022 calendar year (166 in January-September 2023 vs 120 in January-December 2022 – a 38% increase!).

Early in 2023, as part of the change Iris described, we launched the new CLC Volunteer Attorney Initiative. It’s designed to recruit, train, and guide volunteer attorneys interested in working as Guardians ad Litem in cases to which CLC is assigned by the Court. Allison Pearl of Womble Bond Dickinson is one of the recent volunteer attorneys to join CLC’s initiative. At the event, she shared her experience and the effect the children she has been working with have already had on her. Allison highlighted stories of hope from staff and other volunteer attorneys with examples of Children’s Law Center’s positive impact on the children of our community. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to have wonderful supporters like Rich and Allison who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise advocating for the best interests of CLC’s young clients.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and those who supported the event from afar with donations and by participating in our online auction. A special thank you to Speak Up for Children 2023 Co-Chairs, Emily Fletcher and Katie Rauck, as well as the entire event committee (Penn Broyhill, Valerie Thompson, Ali Tomberlin and Melanie York) and all the volunteers who made the evening such a success. If you missed the event but would still like to donate to support Children’s Law Center’s work, you can do so at www.ChildLawNC.org/donate or call 336-831-1909.