Jo Ann's Place - A Southmountain Children's Advocacy Center

11/11/2025

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Today, we pause to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. Your courage inspires us every day, especially those who continue serving their communities and families here at home.

Thank you, veterans. 💙💛💙

10/31/2025

🎃 5 Halloween Safety Tips for a Fun & Safe Night!

Stay Visible!
Use reflective tape, flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see you after dark. 💡

Plan a Safe Route.
Stick to well-lit areas, sidewalks, and always use crosswalks.🚸

Check Costumes.
Ensure costumes fit well, avoid long hems that can trip you up, and opt for face paint over masks for improved visibility. 🧙♀️

Inspect Treats.
Wait until you’re home to eat candy and check for any wrappers that look unusual or opened. 🍬

Stay Together.
Trick-or-treat in groups or with a trusted adult. 👻

Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy all the spooky sweetness this Halloween! 🎃💛

10/24/2025

At Southmountain Children and Family Services, we believe every child deserves safety, hope, and a chance to heal.

We're more than just a team ... we’re a family! And right now, we’re looking for passionate people to join us in making a difference.

If you have a heart for children and a desire to create lasting change, we’d love to meet you.

✨ Apply today and help us build brighter futures, together.

www.southmountain.org/employment

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10/16/2025

Not playing office favorites… but if we were, she’d win. Every. Single. Time. ❤️🐾😉

Sunny, our therapy dog, offers comfort, confidence, and calm one wag at a time!

10/13/2025

In loving memory of Christal Lane, we adopted Bend of the River Road and this weekend we completed our first cleanup.

We're grateful to the faculty and staff of Coopers Elementary School, detectives with the Nash County Sheriff's Office and neighbors from across the community who showed up in memory of Christal.

Today, members of the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Jo Ann's Place - Child Advocacy Center, Coopers Elementary Staff and others took part in a litter pick up in memory of Christal Lane.

Christal was a young girl who lost her life to violence and abuse. This event let's her memory live on and is a reminder of the importance of preventing and reporting possible abuse.

Thank you to all who participated!

10/08/2025

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧. 💛

Like, saying yes when you can.

Sometimes, connection means flexibility. Saying “yes” to small things, like a late-night snack or a spontaneous outing, shows her that you value time together.

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09/09/2025

✨ Confidence isn’t something kids are just born with; it’s something they can build! 💪 Whether it’s trying a new activity, learning from mistakes, or celebrating small wins, every step helps them believe in themselves a little more. 🌟

08/15/2025

𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭.

They do it with a smile, every day, helping children feel safe, understood, and cared for.
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𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭!

👇 Show your support by liking, sharing, or commenting below!

08/14/2025

🌟 We're Hiring! Join Our Team at Jo Ann's Place A South Mountain Children’s Advocacy Center!! 🌟

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children? We're looking for a compassionate and dedicated Forensic Interviewer to join our multidisciplinary team at Jo Ann’s Place A Southmountain Children's Advocacy Center.

As a Forensic Interviewer, you will play a vital role in helping children and families begin their journey toward healing. This position is ideal for professionals with experience in child advocacy, psychology, social work, or criminal justice who are committed to trauma-informed care. See the link below for the full job posting and requirements.

📄 Learn more & apply here: https://www.southmountain.org/new-fi

Help us be a voice for those who need it most!

Southmountain Children and Family Services is seeking a qualified candidate to join its team as a Forensic Interviewer.

08/06/2025

What an amazing night networking and educating our community about child abuse prevention at Rocky Mount Police Department’s National Night Out! Grateful for the opportunity to connect and spread awareness!!💙

08/06/2025

Only about 1 in 3 cases of child abuse are ever identified and reported to authorities.

Why don’t children report?
🔹 Afraid no one will believe them
🔹 Feel ashamed, guilty, or confused
🔹 Threatened or scared by the abuser
🔹 Care about or trust the abuser
🔹 Don’t realize it was abuse

💡 Most children do not tell and when they do, they often tell someone they trust before ever telling a professional. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭!

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07/31/2025

🧱 Myth: “There’s nothing I can do to prevent child abuse.”
✅ Fact: Everyone can play a role in prevention! Here are some actionable steps:

𝟏. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬
💛 Lend a hand to overwhelmed parents.
📣 Promote programs that strengthen parenting skills.
🎁 Donate to your local Children’s Advocacy Center.

𝟐. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 & 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬
👀 Learn the signs of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.
🗣️ Share what you learn—with friends, coworkers, and your community.

𝟑. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐔𝐩 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟
📞 In North Carolina, you are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect—even if you're unsure.
❗ You don't need proof—just concern.

𝟒. 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
🧠 Talk to kids early and often about body safety.
🗺️ Use correct anatomical terms.
🚦 Teach and respect personal boundaries. kids about body safety, use anatomical names for body parts and encourage boundaries.

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