‘Healing Hearts’ fundraiser fuels critical advocacy, visitation and CASA services for vulnerable Medina County children

The Children’s Center of Medina County titled its Nov. 7 fundraising event “Healing Hearts: An Evening of Hope & Inspiration.” The sold-out crowd gathered at the Blue Heron Brewery & Event Center with the hope that their financial support would be instrumental in serving children impacted by abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Returning to help with this annual event were Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janie Parish as mistress of ceremonies and Mark Walton as the auctioneer. Major sponsors were Automation Tool & Die, the Medina Aerie #2224 Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Medina County Health Department, The Giving Place and Jerry and Marsha Whitnable.

A team of more than 30 volunteers helped make the event a huge success. “We wanted to exceed last year’s goal,” said Director of Development Anna Guy-Leach. “We achieved that for all of the categories we had on site, which included a silent auction, a ‘Fountain of Hope Raffle’ and a ‘Fund the Mission Paddle Raise’ live auction.”

The Children’s Center provides child advocacy services and a family visitation center and is part of the Medina County Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Funds raised through the event will help support a fourth service, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Specially trained program volunteers are assigned by judges to children and their families. Their individualized support includes speaking with teachers and medical personnel and then advocating in the child’s best interest.

The inspiration for the evening came from Gaelin Elmore, a former Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman. He is now a nationally sought-after motivational speaker who works to inspire, encourage and equip individuals and organizations to think differently about ways to help children overcome trauma and unleash their potential.

Elmore flew into Cleveland from his home in Minnesota late the night before the event and then toured The Children’s Center early the next day to learn about its services. “He said that children’s advocacy programs are his favorite places to learn and talk about,” said Kristen Minichello, development and outreach director. “He commented about the difference an advocacy service would have made for him as a child when he sat in police stations telling his story without anyone to go through that experience with him.”

In his keynote address, Gaelin described the moment that changed his life. He was in fourth grade and missed his school bus. He decided to walk to school rather than return to the abusive situation at home. Upon arriving at the school office several hours later, he was amazed to find a group of worried adults waiting for him.

“The compassion I felt when I walked into the office changed my perspective and made me believe there were people who care. Although home was this awful place, my school became a lighthouse because it was a place of consistency as I was navigating my abuse. That school quite literally changed my life.”

In high school, Elmore excelled academically and as a football player. When his father, who was his caretaker at the time, was arrested, he was afraid of being forced back to foster care. His football coach intervened when he tried to drop out of school, suggesting he live with him and his family. At first, Elmore declined the offer.

He explained, “I had no reason to believe he would be different than anyone else. Anyone who experiences trauma is justified in not believing. And for you in this room, I need you to understand this. You are not entitled to a ‘yes’ from kids who need Children’s Center services. They don’t owe us anything, and they don’t want to thank or trust us. It’s how we respond when someone who needs our help rejects it that is one of the greatest indicators of our true character.”

“I’m so thankful that my coach didn’t accept my ‘no’ that day, and he gave me a reason to trust him. My life didn’t change overnight, but it did change over time. He gave me an opportunity to become a highly recruited athlete, and eventually I made it to the NFL.”

“I know that I’m lucky, not because of what I went through, but because of the support that I received while I was going through it. That is why child advocacy services exist, to offer support for people who need it most.”

Elmore concluded, “I don’t want to be seen as a success story. I want my support to be seen as a success story. Kids need communities that are willing to stand with them and help them heal their hearts. Thank you for the ways your community is committed to helping people find their true selves.”

For more information about The Children’s Center of Medina County, go to MedinaCountyChildrensCenter.org or call 330-764-8891.