Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center

It is almost unimaginable to believe that someone could harm a child, but it happens more often than any of us could fathom. That’s why the Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center is one of the most crucial agencies in our area. “To give you an idea of the impact we are able to make in our community as a result of the support we receive,” says Chief Executive Officer Jessica Milan Miller, “we would like to share with you our progress between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, at the Gingerbread House:”

1. 918 children received forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigations, child life and family advocacy services, averaging 77 newly identified child victims per month.

2. 7 confirmed child sex trafficking victims and 198 children at high-risk/suspected for sex trafficking received comprehensive direct care services and case management.

3. 189 child victims and their nonoffending caregivers received counseling services.

4. As part of our prevention efforts, over 50,397 children and adults participated in 723 educational outreach sessions.

“Thanks to the generosity of donors, all services continue to be offered free of charge to child abuse victims and their families. Our work would not be possible without your support.”

One of the ways funds are raised for Gingerbread House is through their annual Partners in Prevention Luncheon, which is now in its 13th year and has been sold out for the past three years, as is the case for the luncheon on Oct. 29. Former keynote speakers have varied from authors such as Dave Pelzer, advocates such as John Walsh, and those who have been victims themselves, such as this year’s speaker, Jessica Buchanan, who in October 2011, along with Dane Poul Hagen Thisted, was kidnapped by Somali pirates. On Jan. 25, 2012, a team of United States Navy SEALs raided a compound, freeing both victims. Regardless of their situation, all the speakers have been touched in some way by the trauma of abuse and work to keep the subject matter at the forefront of the public’s mind to find a solution to such atrocities and prevent abuse of others.

“Our Partners in Prevention Luncheon has grown exponentially over the years, and we attribute the success to those individuals who believed in our mission early on, before we were well-known,” says Miller. “They took a chance on a small organization because they saw the impact we had working as a multidisciplinary team when it came to child abuse investigations, and then the impact we had on the healing process for victims. Their support allowed others to learn about the Gingerbread House, and they, too, chose to take a stand against abuse by supporting the Gingerbread House. These ripples of change have culminated in what is now a signature event in our beloved community, and we could not have done it without our donors — past and present.”

Although the luncheon is sold out, there are still numerous ways you can support this critical organization through financial contributions and volunteering. “We love our volunteers and our donors, and we couldn’t make such a positive impact in our community without them!” says Jessica.

The website for Gingerbread House makes it easy to support their many programs, including day-to-day operations. It provides convenient Amazon wish lists for special events, such as their Back-to-School Extravaganza and the upcoming Operation Holly Jolly, which will be here before we know it. You can even purchase turkeys on their site through Turkey Fry Guys, a local organization that supports Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center in their mission to help children in abuse situations.

“Every show of support makes a lasting impact on our ability to serve children who have been hurt through abuse while simultaneously working hard to prevent child abuse in the first place through our Knowledge is Power© child safety curriculum. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

According to the National Children’s Advocacy Center, a cost-benefit analysis reveals that the cost of a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) Multidisciplinary Team Investigation is approximately $1,000 less than the cost of a non-CAC child abuse investigation on a case-by-case basis. The Gingerbread House has served 17,177 child victims since opening its doors in June 1998. By this conservative estimate alone, the Gingerbread House has saved the NWLA community over $17.2 million.

The staff at Gingerbread House includes a variety of professionals equipped to deal with the most heartbreaking situations in the most loving way, providing family advocacy and counseling, as well as child life specialists who work with children and families with the goal of reducing stress and anxiety due to recent traumatic experiences or events.

One simple statement on the Gingerbread House website success stories really sums up this very important work: “Thank you for making me feel safe.” In whatever way you can support, please do so.

Gingerbread House is located at 1700 Buckner St., Suite 101, in Shreveport. You can contact them at 318-674-2900 and on social media. Their hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can visit their website at gingerbreadhousecac.org.