Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida Receives $25,000 Grant from Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to Strengthen Child Abuse Prevention and Positive Parenting Programs

Fort Myers, FL (April 28, 2025) — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) is honored to announce the receipt of a $25,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to support critical prevention and parenting education initiatives aimed at protecting children and strengthening families across the region.

With the support of this grant, CAC will deliver 30 Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training sessions to 500 adults and graduate 65 adults from its Nurturing Parenting classes by the end of 2025. In total, 565 adults will be reached with vital education and tools to recognize, report, and prevent child abuse, while also promoting healthier, more resilient family dynamics.

“This generous investment from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation will have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Southwest Florida,” said Alicia Shannon, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL. “By empowering adults with knowledge and skills, we are building a safer, stronger community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Stewards of Children program equips adults to recognize, respond to, and prevent child sexual abuse in homes, schools, and communities. The Nurturing Parenting program provides evidence-based education that fosters healthy parent-child relationships, ultimately reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL currently partners with the Bobby Nichols Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation, which generously provides approximately $100,000 annually to support the delivery of the Darkness to Light curriculum and related operational costs.

“The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation’s commitment to prevention and education is helping us extend our reach into underserved and at-risk populations, providing critical resources to families facing economic hardship and trauma,” added Alicia Shannon. “Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward breaking the cycle of abuse and creating a safer future for our children.”

For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and opportunities to support its mission, visit www.cac-swfl.org or call 239-939-2808.

About the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida
Founded in 1981, the Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL provides comprehensive services to prevent, intervene, and treat child abuse. Through collaboration, education, and compassion, CAC strives to create a community where every child is safe, nurtured, and empowered to thrive.