Rebuilding Hope for Naples Families

A new drive has started to raise money for a center that helps kids and families after Hurricane Ian took away its main building in 2022. The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has kicked off the first part of a bigger plan called Lifting Up, Building Strength. Its goal is to finish the inside work and get the center running again. The new facility will bring together all of the services that families need in one place: expert interviews, medical check‑ups, therapy rooms, help for parents, and training sessions. Right now families have to go to several different sites to get care, which is hard enough after a traumatic event. The CAC wants to stop that split‑up approach and make the process smoother for everyone involved.Every year, more than 2, 500 cases of possible child abuse are examined in Collier County. Hurricane Ian forced the CAC to spread its services across many locations, making it harder for kids and parents to find support. The new building aims to give them a stable, child‑centered environment where they can feel safe and get help together. The launch of the fundraising effort was highlighted by a small gathering at where the new center will be. Leaders, board members, and local partners came together to talk about why this work matters. Maria Jimenez‑Lara, who runs the Naples Children Foundation, emphasized that the CAC does some of the most crucial work in the community. The first phase of the campaign will raise about $4. 38 million to cover construction, renovation, and the first year of operation. The money is not just for a building; it’s an investment in safety, stability, and a better future for children who need help most.