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Children's Advocacy Center gala supports services for abuse victims

Supporters of the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County gathered for a fundraising gala Saturday night at Medinah Country Club.

Organizers hoped that the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" would raise $155,000 for the Hoffman Estates-based agency that provides services for abused children and families.

Last year, the center served 1,030 children and adults through its three primary programs - an increase of about 5.5 percent from 2016.

With a portion of the event proceeds, the center wants to hire a prevention specialist - a new position for the agency. That employee would serve as a resource for schools and parent groups in the broader community - the center serves 38 towns - by offering personal body safety lessons, among other means of abuse prevention.

Gala organizers also presented Billie Larkin, who retired in March as executive director for Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois, with the Champion of Children award.

The event was chaired by Troy Triphahn, a member of the leadership board for the suburban center and chief operating officer of the WT Group, a Hoffman Estates engineering firm.

Advocate: We need to make preventing child abuse a dinner table conversation

Medinah gala to raise money for Children's Advocacy Center

  Meghan Kurfirst, left, and her husband, Steven, of Arlington Heights, talk with Simone Wheeler, director of development for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  People enjoy cocktails during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Chad Arthur of South Barrington, left, talks with event chairman Troy Triphahn during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Melissa Canning, left, of Inverness and Laura Lowderman of Wauconda look through silent auction items during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Ken and Jane Manson of Schaumburg look through silent auction items during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Melissa Canning, left, of Inverness and Laura Lowderman of Wauconda mingle during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Valerie and Brian Lucas of Palatine, the couple on the left, and Terri and Eddie Cisneros of Schaumburg mingle during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  People look over silent auction items during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Mark Parr, executive director for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County and his wife, Terese, look through silent auction items during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Yvonne Davis of Schaumburg, left, Cara Liace of Mount Prospect and Abraham Diaz of Chicago enjoy the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Meghan Kurfirst, left, and her husband, Steven, of Arlington Heights, mingle with Simone Wheeler, director of development for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  From left, Tracey Traub, Nicole Ciesla and Brenda Lombardo, all of Chicago, enjoy the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  People mingle during the "Hope, Heal, Grow Gala" for the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County at Medinah Country Club Saturday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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