Superpowers of the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center – The League of 15

PHOTOS BY RICK COOPER

This year, the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center celebrates its 15th Anniversary, and we are honored to recognize 15 extraordinary ladies who dedicate their time and resources to the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center – each one of these women has unique characteristics, that collectively motivate others to love, care, and give selflessly to help others. They all have SUPERPOWERS and show exceptional commitment to the CAC, the children served, and the future of our hometown – together they are The League of 15.

The members of the League of 15 were asked three questions:

What is your superpower?

Why is the League of 15 important to you?

What goals do you have as a contributing member of our community?

[divider] [toggle title=”Anna-Lee Atkinson, Realtor ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: SINCERITY

WHY: Being on the GCCAC board of directors and being active in sponsoring GCCAC events has brought so much light to the sad occurrences that unfortunately are happening in our community too regularly. The more education and publicity of child abuse and sexual violence that is put out there will help in the protecting of children. Pamela Smoak’s efforts in giving refuge to victims is exactly what the Advocacy Center is still doing 15 years later. Just walking through the doors of the center brings a feeling of comfort to any individual, especially the victims. That, coupled with the caring staff, makes the Advocacy Center a safe place for the suffering. Education and funding are key to the Advocacy Center and that is exactly what the League of 15 exemplifies.

GOALS: To expound on the League of 15’s mission. With our billboard company, we can alert the community to GCCAC events that raise awareness to the needs of these children and money to support those needs. The proceeds from GCCAC events go straight into funding the programs and therapies received from the center. It is imperative that as a community we can continue coming together to bring education and help to those that have experienced horrific crimes. It is humbling to be a part of the League of 15 and to help achieve the goals of the center[/toggle] [toggle title=”Kelsea Blackburn, Student/College” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: EMPOWERMENT

WHY: Because it appreciates and recognizes women of our community who are driven to make the CAC and its goals successful.

GOALS: To help victims of child sexual abuse become thriving survivors and know that they are not alone and that it’s okay to tell. They need to know they have support from others who went through the same abuse.[/toggle] [toggle title=”Sherry Bruening, Branch Manager, Ameris Bank ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: DETERMINATION

WHY: It is important to me because no child should ever have to live in fear. No child should ever be afraid of the people who care for them. No child should ever be scared to go home, to school, or daycare. The mission of the GCCAC helps to prevent, detect, and rehabilitate children who live in fear. Thank God for Pam Smoak’s vision and Lori Allen and her staff’s drive! I support them 100%. That’s why I believe in the mission of the League of 15!

GOALS: I am determined to make a difference in the lives of our children. To help protect them and keep them safe. I am determined to be a force in child abuse prevention and detection. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Lorrie M. Buschmeyer, Commercial Loan Administrator” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: COMPASSION

WHY: There are many organizations in our community striving to make our hometown a better/safer place to live and visit. More often than not, they go unrecognized. By highlighting the accomplishments of the CAC, we can bring more awareness to the issues that affect not only us but the generations that will sustain Bay County.

GOALS: To bring awareness to the issues that plague our community. I think sometimes we get caught up in our daily lives and forget that some children go to school wearing the same uniform day after day or that the sweet elderly lady at the nursing home hasn’t seen anyone other than her doctor or the nursing staff. To resolve not only these issues, but many bigger issues, we need to teach children at an early age to give back to their community. We need to teach them it’s okay not to be the most popular but to be the most compassionate. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Reneé Richardson Willoughby, Paralegal to Harry L. Harper, Attorney ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: INSPIRATION

WHY: The League of 15 is dedicated to bringing much needed funds and volunteers to the CAC, and it will empower and inspire the women involved to learn all they can about the CAC, the children that are served, and the need that exists in our community. This is a pyramid effect working at its highest potential.

GOALS: My goal is to plant a little inspiration in every person I meet. We all can contribute something: time, money, ideas, compassion, or simply educating yourself on a cause important to you and sharing it with others. Anything that is contributed from a good heart is invaluable. I want to inspire the members of our community to get involved, volunteer, and give whatever they can; become aware of those issues that we tend to overlook. Time spent in service to others is never wasted. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Onelia Cardwell, Student, Senior Class of 2016 ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: OVERCOMER

WHY: The League of 15 is important to me because I have been directly impacted by the services the GCCAC provides. I want to do whatever it takes to make certain the kids in the future get to experience these services.

GOALS: Some goals that I have as a contributing member of our community are to educate the community about the services the CAC provides, to advocate for the teens in care and to recruit more foster families. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Marvel L. Estes, Licensed Mental Health Counselor” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: EXCELLENCE

WHY: Families and children are important to me. I hear all through the community and from some of my clients about the good work the CAC does. Helping families and survivors overcome crimes of sexual and child abuse is imperative for a healthy community. It is important for each person who has experienced any of these traumatic atrocities to have help available to make sense of what happened and put their lives back together. I find this a great opportunity to be part of an organization that is making a difference in our community with excellence by providing tremendous support, protection, respect, empathy, and resources for survivors and their families.

GOALS: In my line of work and one of my life’s goals is to help individuals, couples, families, and groups who are experiencing challenging times and/or mental illness by providing service, education, and support with excellence. I aim to help clients focus on their strengths, create empowerment, promote mental health and wellbeing through evidenced-based interventions. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Jan Gainer, Wife, Mother and Grandmother ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: BELIEVE

WHY: The overall idea of the League of 15 has a parallel to the “plan” that Pam Smoak brought to our community 15 years ago. With a dedication to prosecuting the guilty and a weakness for those who could not help themselves, Pam Smoak brought to life a simplified way to bring to families a safe place. The CAC is a place of calm, rebuilding and hope for a better life. If through the League we can contribute more awareness, more dedication and more giving to meet the needs of our youngest and abused children, then we will have only cast half a shadow on the legacy that Pamela J. Smoak built in her short life.

GOALS: In the early days of planning and acquiring the property to build the CAC, Pam developed terminal cancer. She continued to lay the groundwork and further her dream that every child would have a safe-haven from abuse. She asked me and several other board members to promise to carry on the work she started. The community responded to her last wish and the CAC became a reality in our new building. Since then the CAC has handled numerous cases and continues to need funding. My goal is to continue reaching out to the community on behalf of abused children. I love and have faith in Northwest Florida. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Jane Rogers Groom, C & G Sporting Goods ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: ENTHUSIASM

WHY: The League of 15 is a noble community project with humanitarian principles possessing compassionate understanding of the suffering of abused and neglected children. We work with enthusiasm for the good health and happiness.

GOALS: As a member of the Woman’s Club of Panama City, First United Methodist Church and as a volunteer with the CAC, my goals are to enlist the assistance of members of these organizations to put into action a positive attitude toward shaping a bright future for the less fortunate. We will work together as a team of 15 women to improve the lives of the hurting helpless children of the 14th circuit. Through our hard work and dedication our vision and Pam Smoak’s vision for these young people will be achieved. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Mia Humphreys, Mother and Community Volunteer ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: PERSEVERANCE

WHY: What this League represents in honor of our Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s 15-year anniversary is tremendous! The founder Pam Smoak would be so proud of all of these ladies’ contributions of their time, talents and treasures to make the CAC the successful place for our local children and families in need. Mrs. Smoak’s legacy and vision lives on through our League’s special “superpower strengths” to help our Gulf Coast CAC remain the loving safe haven that it is for those individuals we serve. Last year, the GCCAC served over 1,400 needy children.

GOALS: Someone once said, “It takes a village.” I know that it takes many strong personalities and talented individuals to make a difference, but it truly all starts with one’s self. My goal is to do more than my fair share through volunteerism to make our community a safe, beautiful place for us all to live happily. I hope that my gift of perseverance and our “League of 15″ talents draws attention to the fact that each and every person in our community can make a difference. The smallest donations, or even simply your time or individual talent, can help impact someone’s life in the biggest of ways. This facility is one of the most important places in our community for children in serious need. We must protect its mission by wanting to contribute and give back in any way possible. My wish is that through this creative advertising, we can give back to our CAC in a substantial way. Mrs. Pam Smoak would be so proud to see our community’s support! [/toggle] [toggle title=”Sonya Henderson, Communications Director, Northstar Church ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: ENCOURAGEMENT

WHY: Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center is an amazing organization that protects children, strengthens families and brings compassion to incredibly tough situations. It’s an honor to help generate awareness and champion their cause. At its core, I believe the CAC models Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…”

GOALS: People matter to God, so they matter to me. Helping women, men, boys, and girls know they are truly loved and they have value and worth is part of my life’s calling. O.C. Quick said, “If we could imagine the love of one who loves men purely for their own sake, and not because of any need or desire of his own, purely desires their good, and yet loves them wholly, not for what at this moment they are, but for what he knows he can make of them because he made them, then we should have in our minds some true image of the love of the Father and Creator of mankind.” Understanding this and allowing God to develop in us our full potential would change lives and our community forever. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Allison MacLean, Mom (or Mommy)” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: HUMOR

WHY: The League of 15 represents women from the community, with different backgrounds and life experiences, who are coming together for a common purpose, to advocate for children and to let children know they matter, they are deeply loved, and although they may have been victims at some point in their lives, they have the ability and right to live life victoriously.

GOALS: To share the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Jennifer Rowe, Esthetician/Owner, Skin Essentials ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: FAITH

WHY: It is important to me to be able to bring awareness about all the wonderful things the CAC does for the kids in our community. I am honored to be able to support and be a part of this great group of ladies.

GOALS: To continue to give back my time and compassion to allow a child to know the sky is the limit and they are loved and supported. I have always enjoyed my time coaching and mentoring. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Allison Smith, Business Development/Sales and Marketing” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: POSITIVITY

WHY: I love the idea of the League of 15. It shows how much compassion, love, reach, and even power we each have but, combined, the 15 of us will do amazing things together! For each of us to ask (at least) 10 people to tour the CAC, and to ask for a donation to do so is a brilliant and easy idea. I love taking people to tour the CAC building, and now I have an even more important reason to ask people to do so. I think the CAC does a wonderful, and sadly under-appreciated, job in our community. I feel this is a great way to get the word out about it.

GOALS: I am already looking forward to this fall and getting our “self-esteem” bags started! We made almost 300 bags last year at Christmas and gave 175 bags to the CAC. In three years, we’ve gone from 42 to around 285. Each bag gets shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a razor, and shaving cream. It takes several months to get them all together. I try to support as many charities as I can, even if it’s just buying a ticket, a chance or making a donation. I don’t have children, so I try throughout the year to help those I can help. I think it’s our duty to do all that we can; whether it’s through money, time, or an item that gets donated. So many people think it takes a monetary donation to make a difference to a group or charity. It’s amazing what just sharing an event through social media or your own group of contacts can do. Sometimes it just takes that one connection that will make all the difference in the world. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Kathleen Smoak, Political Staffer ” state=”close” ]

SUPERPOWER: EMPATHY

WHY: I am lucky to be part of a group of women who are dedicated to helping the Children’s Advocacy Center. The League of 15 is important because it allows us to use our talents, resources and efforts to help child victims. No child should ever have to endure physical or sexual abuse. The employees of the CAC are outstanding and their commitment to their work is beyond measure. If the League of 15 can help them expand their resources and impact on the community, then we are truly making a difference.

GOALS: We are more alike than we are different and, when working together, we can accomplish great things. I am so blessed to live in a beautiful and wonderfully generous community with incredibly kind citizens. It’s my hope that I can continue to make a meaningful impact on our community. SUPERPOWERS [/toggle]