Douglas C.A.R.E.S.

Heroes Day Event at Douglas CARES

Fri, 05 May 2023 19:17:00 GMT

The Heroes Day event was a blast! Performances, free giveaways, and superhero masks for the kids brought joy to all in attendance. Kids came to the Douglas C.A.R.E.S. booth and picked up a mask and cape to be the hero of their own story and heroes were represented in all capacities at the event.

Our little superheroes got to explore over 20 vendors who joined us including four law enforcement vehicles from Sutherlin, Winston, and Roseburg PD. Roseburg Fire Department rolled in one of their fire trucks and the kids had a blast checking it out.

Several resources from the community such as Thrive Umpqua, UC VEG, Miss Douglas County high school, Juniper Tree, Winston Martial Arts participated. Also joining us was Brand Yourself (a Non-profit to help families feel less burdened by providing for the needs of families in Douglas County), Peace at Home, Creating Community Resilience, Oregon Family Support Network, UCAN, Adapt (sexual violence prevention cohort lead), FAIR, BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse), FARA, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Best Lemonade in Town (stand run by a young boy who owns his own business), Bushnell University promoting the new hybrid Masters/ Bachelors Program at UCC), Every Child Douglas, and ODHS. Advantage Dental gave out dental items. Wildlife Safari brought hands-on activities as well as a prairie dog, skink, and centipede for all to explore. Thundering Waters brought concrete ping pong and foosball for all to play. A huge crowd pleaser was the live dance performances with kids and adults from ages 3-18.

We are so thankful for the community involvement and the care for kids that took place. We count this as a very successful day for Douglas C.A.R.E.S.

Mayor Larry Rich Issues a Proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:50:00 GMT

Roseburg Mayor, Larry Rich, proclaimed April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The mayor read a proclamation at the City Council meeting Monday night to call on all residents, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, and businesses to do their part to help prevent child abuse and strengthen our community by increasing their participation in efforts to support families.

Our Executive Director, Sarah Wickersham, and the Douglas CARES team were honored to receive the proclamation on behalf of the children of Douglas County, OR.

Watch the presentation of the Proclamation below.

Douglas C.A.R.E.S goes to Washington D.C.!

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 17:40:00 GMT

Director Sarah Wickersham traveled to the capital in June to attend the National Children’s Alliance Conference along with hundreds of other Child Advocacy Center Directors, Forensic Interviewers, Detectives, and Child Welfare Caseworkers from across the nation to learn about the amazing support provided by NCA to communities like Douglas County.

Sarah was also able to meet with the offices of Representative Peter DeFazio and Senator Jeff Merkley where she told the story of child abuse in Douglas County. We raised awareness around important issues like information sharing, housing resources, addictions, and the truly innovative way we come together as a community to staff cases of child abuse and step in to help the whole family recover from the traumatic events.

Happy Healthy Kids Day at Douglas C.A.R.E.S.

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 22:37:00 GMT

April 28th was a day we celebrated Happy Healthy Kids with the community of Roseburg. We had just over 110 kiddos come visit all of our vendors! It was a wonderful and crazy day. Douglas CARES had 3 games with prizes, goody bags, pinwheels, balloons, and snack bags for all. Our bubble machine was a hit! Many of our kiddos attending came because of the thousands of bubbles seen from Harvard Ave. and the

DHS building.

Community members joined with us to make this event one to remember. Cougar Ridge came out with their horses, donkey, carriage rides, and ponies. Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Douglas County Sheriff Department, Winston Police Department, and K-9 units Eros and Zorro came out to see everyone. Family Development Center and Every Child Douglas County provided face painting. Adapt brought out books.Games and prizes were hosted by National Guard, ESD, and Umpqua Valley Rainbow Collective. Wildlife Safari brought some really cool artifacts.Advantage Dental offered free screenings and goody bags to the kids.WaiLani Shave Ice whipped up amazing treats. Miss Douglas County and other title holders ran our game booths. We even had Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, and Spiderman drop by on behalf of Occasionally Yours.

Every single child left with prizes and a smile! Even our teens were seen riding around in the horse cart with WaiLani Shave Ice and huge smiles. Thank you to everyone, including our event organizer, Amanda, for making this event such an incredible success!

Douglas County Commissioners Issue a Proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:32:00 GMT

We were honored to receive a proclamation from our county commissioners in April. We received this note from them. "On behalf of the Douglas County Commissioners, thank you so much for “planting” Pinwheels for Prevention and attending the proclamation presentation today for Child Abuse Prevention Month. As Commissioner Freeman mentioned, you do some of the very most important work in our communities."

It is our honor to serve our community. Thank you to all involved.

Collaborating to Help Police Efforts to Stop Human Trafficking

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:28:00 GMT

Read the press release provided by CHI Mercy Health regarding collaborative efforts to stop human trafficking in Douglas County.