April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Dedicated months help garner support for victims, a goal that the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County has all year round. In addition to providing resources for survivors, the Advocacy Center also does educational work to raise awareness about child abuse, domestic violence and sexual violence.  

The Victorian-style house located in downtown Ithaca houses the Advocacy Center, which has offices, counseling rooms and children’s advocacy spaces. The second floor is where the education team works. Jennifer Brownell, executive director of the Advocacy Center, said the education team travels to public schools, colleges and universities, and events to increase awareness. 

“I am very proud to be part of an agency that has put such a big emphasis on the importance of education and prevention work,” Brownell said.  

As a nonprofit, providing education and resources to the community is largely made possible through grants and donations. The Advocacy Center has faced uncertainty surrounding its funding since United States President Donald Trump and his administration have attempted to freeze federal funds, terminate contracts and withhold federal grant funds to nonprofits since the start of 2025. This has caused many nonprofits to cut back on services, reduce staffing or even fully close. 

Brownell said that luckily, New York state has been an incredible support, but even the state has to worry about where its funding will come from. She said the center has not received any cuts directly, but the cuts still cause general uncertainty. 

“This makes it really hard for planning and hiring because yesterday we had money, but today we might not and tomorrow we do again,” Brownell said. “And, everyone has this mindset of going toward more local funding, which is saturating those funding opportunities.”  

One way that the Advocacy Center fundraises and educates the community is through the annual Kids Are Our Business fundraising breakfast. The center is celebrating the event’s 25th anniversary and is aptly holding the event June 25 in Emerson Suites at Ithaca College. Development Coordinator Hayden Morrison said the 2026 theme is Travel the World.  

“We welcome everyone in our community, it’s $50 per chair and all of the proceeds that we raise for this fundraiser go towards services to help the youth in our community: victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence,” Morrison said.    

According to the National Children’s Alliance, one in four girls and one in 13 boys in the U.S. are estimated to experience child sexual abuse. The Advocacy Center has a dedicated space for children that is decorated with murals, bright colors and child-friendly items to make children and families feel more comfortable when visiting. 

Raising money is key to the Advocacy Center’s ability to provide its services. One service that Brownell highlighted is the center’s safe house for people who feel unsafe in their current living environment to live in as needed.  

“We have been full or almost full for about a year straight, so the need is there,” Brownell said.  

The outreach and education can connect people with services they need, but it can also attract volunteers: a key piece for the center. Community Engagement Specialist Victoria Barics said the volunteers allow the advocates to have more time to provide more day-to-day support to the clients.  

“The agency couldn’t really function without the volunteers,” Barics said. “We have so many people who not only dedicate a huge chunk of time to learning what we do … but then dedicate 20 plus hours to take calls or even stay up overnight.” 

The center has been around for almost 50 years — its 50th anniversary coming up in 2027 — so the staff and educational services have expanded over time with community support. Barics said she feels her work is rewarding when someone reaches out after an education event or session because she feels like her words matter and resonate.  

“No one is going to be judged for coming here,” Barics said. “You don’t have to have a certain story or level of abuse to qualify. You are not taking up someone else’s space. If something happened to you and you are hurting from that, you deserve to have that help.”

The story was updated April 9 to include the name of the local artist who created the sensory walkway, Karley Powers.