Northbrook Residend A Champion For Sexually Abused Children and an Advocate for Seniors
Experts know that the prevalence of child sexual abuse is difficult to determine because it is often not reported. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau report in 2010 states that 9.2% of abused children were sexually assaulted. Meanwhile, studies by David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center show that one in five girls and one in twenty boys are victims of child sexual abuse.
For the past 18 years, Bob Tucker has been a member of The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) board of directors and its president for the past four years. "This is a labor of love for me," says Tucker. "Shortly after volunteering to work with CAC, I was asked to serve on their board, and the rest is history. When I was still in the marketing communications field several years ago, we provided CAC with all their communications work for free. Years later, after my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I opened my new business, Senior Helpers. In one sense, it may seem a bit unusual to be interested in helping children and seniors-but I truly enjoy being involved in helping both of these potentially vulnerable groups."
CAC aids hundreds of sexually abused children and family members in the north and northwest suburbs every year. The nonprofit organization provides support, court advocacy, counseling and multiple related services-at no cost-to help these children and their non-offending loved ones regain their lives. CAC also helps identify and support the prosecution of criminal sexual abusers.
Currently, Tucker is involved with CAC's annual dinner Gala on April 25, 2015, to raise money to support this organization. It will be at 6 p.m. at the Medinah Country Club and any donation will be appreciated. You can contact Simone Wheeler at: 847-885-0100.
Tucker encourages neighbors, family members and friends to not let a child suffer from sexual abuse. "Please report the incident to the police or The Children's Advocacy Center directly so we can help a child get the psychological, physical and legal help they need," he says.
Bob also serves as president of SPAN, The Senior's Professional Assistance Network, a not-for-profit organization consisting of several doctors and other health and wellness providers dedicated to providing services and support for seniors in virtually every area of senior care. The group focuses on the education of its members so they can provide the highest level of care for seniors.
Bob is also president and owner of the Northbrook Senior Helpers In-home Care Agency. They are ranked by Home Care Pulse, the leading customer satisfaction research firm in their field, as one of the top senior care agencies in America. Bob is a qualified dementia care provider (QDCP) and his office is the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) CARES affiliate office for the Chicago area. Bob's office provides more than 50 services to help seniors live as safely, happily and successfully as possible. They also provide free memory screenings and a dementia/Alzheimer's Resource Center-with an array of educational materials on these diseases-that are available at no cost to everyone in the community.
If you are concerned about the health of a senior loved one and would like more information, or you are interested in learning more about SPAN, or volunteering or contributing to help child sexual abuse victims, contact Bob Tucker at Senior Helpers 847-564-7500 or email Bob at: rtucker@seniorhelpers.com.