“Do You Live Here?”

by Kim Collins
DCAC Victim Advocate

"Do you live here?"  This question comes from an adorable five-year-old. It’s obvious that she feels right at home at DCAC’s 2139 building that opened one year ago today. She has me sit in a chair far too small for me, grabs a book from the shelf and asks me to read it to her. Another little girl, whom she doesn’t know, is playing nearby. She invites her to join us. They sit side by side as I read through Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It’s difficult to believe that just prior to our sharing this story-time together, she was being interviewed by one of our trained forensic interviewers. During that interview, she was able to share about some of the trauma she experienced. Now we sit together, giggling at the picture of the pancakes falling from the sky and sharing the fun with the other child. This is a healing moment; a way to reinforce to her that she is still a child, despite having gone through bad experiences.

As I keep the child preoccupied, I notice the parents have begun to relax and started to process the crisis they have just been through as a family. Members of the multi-disciplinary team have been in the observation rooms discussing next steps. They speak with the parents privately in adjoining rooms and then let them know they can leave. The family gathers their belongings and I escort them to the door. The little girl turns back around and runs to give me the biggest hug ever. That’s when I pause to think about how this facility provides not only a child-friendly space for investigations, but also serves as the starting point of the healing process.

We constantly get compliments on the house from clients and professionals that come to visit. I sometimes wish I could further explain that there is reasoning behind EVERYTHING being the way it is. For instance, couches and chairs provide a level of comfort for families that have to wait nervously (sometimes for hours) through multiple interviews. The lobby is set up to facilitate detectives, social workers, and victim advocates to speak with the parents privately while still being able to keep a watchful eye on the children. The interview rooms are plain, to minimize distraction while interviewing the child. The observation rooms allow multiple cases to be investigated simultaneously, with privacy and space for the professionals. The kitchen gives us community space to eat lunch together and support each other in the work we do. Those examples don’t even scratch the surface of the thought and attention to detail that went into developing this house to be a secure, comfortable place for people to be at during difficult times.

Beyond the facility being a place for the clients, it also better serves the needs of DCAC staff, law enforcement, social services, and community members who all fully utilize the space. The beautiful old Victorian is used for board meetings, multi-disciplinary team case reviews, and meetings of other outside groups. I consider it a privilege to observe and contribute to some of the decisions, case planning, and dialogue that occurs between these walls.

The reality of vicarious trauma experienced by professionals is serious. Working in such a beautiful and healthy environment meets the essential needs of professionals. Having the entire DCAC staff together on the same campus is also a big “plus” by promoting unity, teamwork, and support for each other in our diverse programs. Together with our supporters, we have created a “kids campus,” and there is no greater joy than to see those children running around the space crafted with them in mind.



2139 House Before Renovation

 DCAC relies heavily on private funding through donations. I have had the pleasure of meeting many donors and am always impressed at the diversity backgrounds of people and companies that are passionate about supporting children and families through gifts to our agency.I have much respect for donors because of their willingness to donate to an organization that is required to keep confidentiality of the cases. They don’t get to actually see the families in crisis, hear the stories of the children being interviewed, or participate with the team making important and often times lifesaving decisions. Specifically in reference to donating towards 2139 house, people were asked to give to help build something tangible, a house! I would like to convey my appreciation and respect for all who gave generously toward that end to support DCAC. I am honored to see the intangible rewards happening every day because of this facility. I’ve gotten to see families reconcile, children smile because their secret is out and now they are safe, and team members debriefing and supporting each other after a long day. The building is not just another pretty place; it’s a carefully crafted space that facilitates the healing process in support of our mission to

“Prevent Abuse – Strengthen Families - Restore Childhood.”

Suffering in Silence with Music All Around

They look like the cast from the latest hip reality show.  Young, fresh-faced and full of life.  Their unique career as a "Piano Quintet" has truly taken off.  They were featured on CBS's 60 Minutes when they were all five accepted into the renowned program at Juilliard.  Since then, they have been traveling the country, performing their 'trademark' music: a variety of classical piano pieces combined with a dash of more contemporary hits such as John Williams' music from "Star Wars" and Bernard Herrmann's score from "Vertigo" and "Psycho."

No one ever guessed that behind the smiles and music lurked an evil secret that the group had been hiding for nearly 20 years.  How does this happen?  No matter how many times we hear about it in our communities or see it reported on the news, we still cannot get our brains wrapped around the reality that abuse is not a respecter of color, creed nor economic standing.  Perhaps it's our need for "safety" that keeps us from fully addressing the reality of the situation.  Perhaps it's the fact that the truth is so seldom spoken aloud.

This is a portion of the blog posting by Melody Brown from The 5 Browns webpage on January 26, 2011:

"Ok, so let me explain.  See, New Years is sort of a tradition in our family.  Every year we get together for a late dinner (the highlight of the night) at some nice "out of the ordinary" restaurant and then choose to either spend midnight elsewhere or continue to hang out, play games and whatever.  This year none of us had other commitments, so we all just hung out watching the ball drop....We laugh, joke and just chill.  At midnight, we'll usually rush to pop open a few of our favorite Martinelli's drinks, toast to a hopeful year and steal kisses from our spouses.  And, like every year, you think over the previous one...the good and bad.  You wonder if this New Year will bring better good and less bad.  Sometimes it can be bittersweet." 

"Bittersweet," indeed.  Just twenty-three days later, Melody's father would turn himself in to authorities in Provo, Utah and plead guildty to sodomy on a child and two counts of sex abuse of a child.  Keith Brown's ongoing attacks against his daughters began back in 1990 and continued until 1998.  All of the girls were 13 or younger when the attacks occurred.  Desirae is now 32, Deondra is 30 and Melody is 26.

Although Mr. Brown (who was formerly The 5 Browns' manager) turned himself in and confessed, it was his daughters who disclosed the abuse out of concern for the welfare and protection of other young women and girls.  They also wanted their father to take resonsibility for his actions and sought a punishment that was suitable to the crimes committed against them.  Keith Brown is scheduled for sentencing on March 31.

For 20 years, these kids have carried this burden.  In the midst of making such beautiful music, they suffered in silence.  DCAC works each and every day to "Restore Childhood" for victims of crimes similar to those endured by the Brown daughters, giving voice to their song of hope and healing.

DCAC's Prevention Program Comes to Life with Puppet Master

Most folks who know DCAC know Mark Hellerstein as our fantastic board president, and that he is! But ask any 3-9 year old child in our “Denver Safe from the Start” prevention program, and he is the life behind their favorite talking bookworm, Winston!

Mark’s passion extends from the board room into Denver classrooms where his professional ventriloquism brings “Winston” worm, the bookworm to life. In 2010 Mark spent almost 40 hours at head start sites and elementary schools awing 900 young children. His performances introduce and conclude the eight week long “Denver Safe from the Start” prevention program in DPS Elementary schools and Head Start programs. Mark and Winston present important safety concepts that teach children to keep their bodies safe. Songs and jokes keep the children on their toes and every audience captivated!

Angela Davidson, DCAC director of prevention and education remembers being at CMS Community school last spring. A first grade student came into the library for the puppet show. When he saw Winston and his book, he got really excited and exclaimed, “I remember that book! It’s about safety!” He must have been a student in the ECE class when DCAC did Denver Safe from the Start in years past and still remembered a key part of the puppet show!

“Seeing how kids respond to Mark is very rewarding, how they retain information he provides reminds us why believe prevention is so important for young children. He volunteers his time and we really value his generosity to our program” said Angela.

Mark & Winston

“Denver Safe from the Start” is our highly successful sexual abuse prevention program. Last year DCAC was awarded a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention that expanded the program into several DPS elementary schools. The program teaches children between three and nine years old safety rules about their bodies, who they can talk to if they have a problem, and that abuse is never a child’s fault. Mark is an essential part of the prevention team and we are so grateful for all that he does! Executive Director Gizane Indart commented on Mark’s important involvement,

“Every year, through Denver Safe from the Start, DCAC is able to reach hundreds of students, and many parents and teachers. The success of this program relies heavily on the skills, talents, and generosity of Mark Hellerstein. We, at DCAC, are forever grateful to his invaluable contribution.”

Thank you, Mark! For all the many ways that you champion the cause of children!