Children's Advocacy Center
About Children's Advocacy Center
At the Children’s Advocacy Center in Las Vegas, the first things you notice are the practical ones: a community closet, a food pantry, free therapy, and Camp Thrive Las Vegas for child sexual abuse survivors. That mix matters because families affected by abuse and neglect often need immediate help before they can think about anything else. This is the kind of support that meets people where they are, then keeps showing up with care that is free, local, and specific to what families are facing.
What sets this organization apart is how directly it responds to the moment. Families can get essentials through the Community Closet and Food Pantry, free mental health care through Vegas Heals, and trauma-informed camp programming through Camp Thrive Las Vegas, with outreach and education layered in for the wider community. It also works through a partnership tied to the Southern Nevada Children’s Advocacy Center, which keeps the support grounded in the real service network families are already moving through.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Community Closet & Food Pantry
An onsite closet and pantry that provides non-perishable food, hygiene and household cleaning products, toys, blankets, journals, door alarms, gas gift cards, clothing, and shoes to help families meet immediate needs.
Vegas Heals
A mental health program that provides free individual therapy and support group therapy for child victims, siblings, and non-offending parents who cannot afford services.
Camp Thrive Las Vegas
A free 3-day summer camp for child survivors of sexual abuse ages 10 to 14, combining camp activities with group therapy and individual sessions as needed.
Campaign 4 Change
An awareness and education initiative with resources, training programs for mandated reporters, and tools for parents, educators, and community members to recognize, respond to, and report child sexual abuse.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To help and heal children and their families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect by providing the vital services they need.
Who they serve
Children and families traumatized by abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse survivors, siblings, non-offending parents, caregivers, and disadvantaged families in Southern Nevada.
Their impact
- In 2025, the Community Closet served 1,111 individuals, including 254 families and 90 sex-trafficked youth.
- Since launching in March 2021, Vegas Heals has provided over 2,913 hours of mental health care to approximately 443 individuals.
- The 2023 back-to-school backpack and school supply drive collected 699 backpacks filled with supplies.
- The 2022 back-to-school backpack and school supply drive collected and filled 1,081 backpacks.
How your donation helps
- Non-perishable food items
- Hygiene products
- Household cleaning products
- Toys and blankets
- Journals and gel pens
- Door alarms
- Gas and grocery gift cards
- New clothing and shoes
- Backpacks and school supplies
- Free mental health care for children and families
Our story
Incorporated in 2016, the Children’s Advocacy Center Foundation was created to help and heal child victims and their families through a private and public partnership with Clark County’s Department of Family Services and the Southern Nevada Children’s Advocacy Center. From the start, it has focused on identifying gaps in services, supporting evidence-based programming, and fundraising on behalf of the center and the families it serves.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Children's Advocacy Center’s services.
Family advocates connect with children and families during the initial visit to the Southern Nevada Children’s Advocacy Center, provide an orientation, explain the forensic interview and medical exam, answer questions, and share up-to-date information. For suspected child sexual abuse, the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline can be called at (702) 399-0081, and calls are confidential and may be anonymous.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Children should be children not victims.
Events
An Evening at the Ballpark
annualA recurring fundraising event with the Las Vegas Aviators that brings together survivors, donors, and supporters to raise awareness and funds.
Charity Golf Tournament
annualAn annual golf fundraiser benefiting children impacted by abuse and neglect.
Back-to-School Backpack and School Supply Drive
annualA recurring drive that collects backpacks and school supplies for children and families served by the center.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Children's Advocacy Center has shared.
Current needs
- Non-perishable food items
- Hygiene products
- Household cleaning products
- Gas gift cards
- Grocery gift cards
- New clothing
- Shoes
- Backpacks
- School supplies
- Door alarms
Volunteer opportunities
- Camp Thrive Las Vegas volunteer, ages 18+, helping supervise campers, oversee activities, support onsite therapeutic staff, and handle cleanup duties.
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- National Children’s Alliance re-accreditation with the highest rating possible
In the media
- Las Vegas Review-Journal, article on the foundation’s planned move into a downtown building and expansion of services
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What does the Community Closet and Food Pantry provide?
It provides non-perishable food, hygiene and cleaning products, toys, blankets, journals, door alarms, gas gift cards, clothing, shoes, and other essential items for families in crisis.
Who can attend Camp Thrive Las Vegas?
Camp Thrive Las Vegas serves child survivors of sexual abuse ages 10 to 14, with group therapy and individual sessions as needed.
What does Vegas Heals offer?
Vegas Heals provides free individual therapy and support group therapy for child victims, siblings, and non-offending parents who cannot afford services.
How do families connect with support at the center?
Family advocates meet with children and families during the initial visit, explain the process, and share support, orientation, and information about available services.
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