C.A.A.R.E. was originally formed as the brain child of Valerie Whatley, a victim of child abuse and a fighter in her own right. [Read Valerie’s gripping childhood story HERE.] But after 10 years of effort with little progress, she realized that the fight to spread awareness about and provide resources to stop child abuse would be better accomplished if it were run by the very people it affects: children and teenagers.

Although some members of C.A.A.R.E. are also victims of child abuse, the overwhelming majority of students involved are not survivors of abuse. They are simply kids who understand that someone must give a voice to the voiceless, and they want to be catalysts for change.

This organization focuses on all aspects of child abuse to help educate. In addition, they coordinate local awareness events to raise funding and share the stories of the children who serve as the face of C.A.A.R.E. In Maury County, TN, the fledgling county of C.A.A.R.E., Valerie and the kids have hosted three spring motorcycle rallies. New chapters have been started in several other counties in Tennessee, and they will focus on events in their own areas.

One way C.A.A.R.E. has joined the fight is to encourage their leaders to shadow adults in positions of influence, so that they will be prepared to enter their career field with specific goals in mind. Leaders have already begun shadowing nurses, doctors, district attorneys, educators, and other people in fields that have the potential to make an impact in the fight.

Interested in joining C.A.A.R.E? Click here.