Child Advocates' Day at the Ballpark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information please contact:
Ashley Brockette | 713.529.1396, ext. 213 | ashley.brockette@childadvocates.org

Re: Child Advocates Astros Day
Release date: June 8, 2015
Location: Houston, Texas
 

On Thursday, June 4, the Houston Astros hosted over 500 children, foster siblings, caretakers and volunteers from Child Advocates for an afternoon game at Minute Maid Park. The children invited have all experienced some form of abuse or neglect and were given a court appointed advocate to speak on their behalf in court. For many of the children who attended, it was their first ever major league baseball game.

The game began with the first pitch from Darnell, a 12 year old boy who was removed from his home because of his mother’s drug use. With the help of his court appointed advocate, Darnell’s case is now closed and he lives with his grandmother. He threw a perfect first pitch and went home that afternoon with an autographed baseball from rookie Lance McCullers and a big smile on his face.

The children were given a goody bag when they checked in; a drawstring backpack filled with snacks and activities that were generously donated by Alcon. Everyone was able to sit in the same section of the ballpark, so many of the kids made new friends as they found others from similar situations. They held up big posters that spelled out “Thanks Astros” and had the full ballpark experience with Cracker Jack and hot dogs.

The whole day would not have been possible without the generosity of the Houston Astros Foundation and Child Advocates’ board members, advisory board members and volunteers who helped underwrite the expense of the event. It was an afternoon to remember for Houston’s abused and neglected children.

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Child Advocates, Inc. mobilizes court appointed volunteers to break the vicious cycle of child abuse. We speak up for abused children who are lost in the system and guide them into safe environments where they can thrive. Our court appointed advocate volunteers are at the heart of Child Advocates' mission and are shining examples of ordinary individuals making an extraordinary impact in the lives of abused and neglected children of Harris County. We speak up for abused children who are lost in the system and guide them into safe environments where they can thrive.