The Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County won the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC) Not-For-Profit of the Year award, it was announced by Beth Hilton, GOFCC executive director.
The award was part of the 15th Annual Small Business Breakfast, held this year at The Oasis at Thunder Island, Rt. 48, Fulton. The other nominee for this award was the Tobacco Free Network of Oswego County.
The breakfast capped a week of GOFCC activities in Fulton devoted to small businesses in Oswego County. Among these was a reception for local government representatives and chamber members, a Small Business Expo with displays and presentations by and for local businesses, and a Business After Hours networking event. Presenting sponsors for the week were PathFinder Bank and Fulton Savings Bank. The week’s Entrepreneur Level sponsor was SUNY Oswego’s Office of Business and Community Relations and Keech Photography, Oswego, provided photography services at all events.
“Our judges independently evaluate each nominee in 3 categories valued at up to 5 points each, for a maximum total of 15 points,” Hilton explained. “The scores are then compiled and the winner is determined by a weighted average of the scores—often resulting in 10th’s of a point between nominees. All scores are kept completely confidential. All nominees must be Chamber Members in good standing as of May 25, 2012.
In her presentation of the award, Hilton said: “Child abuse is an offense that tears at the very fabric of a community. It destroys families and has a potentially devastating impact on its victims. Thanks to the efforts of the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County victims of child abuse and their families can begin a healing process that helps alleviate the emotional scars of physical and sexual abuse.
“The CAC is relentless in its mission to serve those affected by child abuse and combat the problem in Oswego County. Working hand-in-hand with local law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, medical providers, therapy providers, and victim advocacy professionals in Oswego County the CAC strives to protect and serve children that are victims of sexual and physical abuse.
“In 2011, despite a reduction in funding, the CAC served more than 380 abused children, an increase of more than 60% over the previous year; expanded its services by opening a satellite office in Pulaski that allowed the agency to better serve child victims and their families in the northern part of the county; offered several healing workshops for abuse victims; and added a Victim Intervention program that provides individual, group and family therapy to child victims of physical and sexual abuse.
“Working with its Multi-Disciplinary Team the CAC provides a wide range of services to families and individuals affected by child abuse that reduce the trauma to children and family members undergoing the investigation of child sexual and physical abuse. The CAC also works to enhance prosecution of perpetrators involved in child victimization and helps to facilitate positive legal outcomes for child victims and their families.
“Additionally, through outreach presentations to schools and organizations, the CAC works to raise awareness of child abuse in Oswego County by engaging community members to support them in their efforts, and provides Oswego County school districts with the Yello-Dyno Program that features a curriculum that equips children with the skills they need to keep themselves safe by building their self-esteem teaching them how to trust their instincts and identifying deceptive behaviors.
The work of the CAC and the positive impact it has on the lives of the children and families it serves is an immeasurable benefit to Oswego County.”
Other Small Business awards included: Small Business of the Year, won by Blue Moon Grill, Fulton; and New Business of the Year, which was awarded to The Steele Law Firm, Oswego.
The keynote speaker for the event was Alexander Grimshaw, CEO of PPS International Ltd., headquartered in Fulton, Hilton said. PPS is a human resources consulting firm specializing in integrated leadership development.
For more information, visit the chamber web site, www.oswegofultonchamber.com or contact the chamber at 315-343-7681.
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