Annual Report 2025

Hello Friends,

Every day at First Witness, we are reminded that protecting children is never the work of one person or organization. It depends on people, agencies, schools, faith communities, businesses, and generous supporters working toward a common purpose. This year, more than ever, I have been inspired by the partnerships that make this work possible.  

 

One of the clearest examples of partnership happens when a child discloses abuse. An entire network of professionals comes together to ensure that child is heard, protected, and supported. Law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, medical providers, mental health professionals, advocates, and others each play a vital role. First Witness connects these partners through a coordinated, child-centered response because every child deserves a system that works together on their behalf.  

 

Prevention depends on partnerships, too. Faith communities, youth-serving organizations, schools, and community groups welcomed First Witness through our Safe and Strong Communities and Safe and Strong Child© programs. Together, we equip adults to recognize and respond to abuse concerns while helping children understand personal safety, healthy boundaries, trusted adults, and how to seek help. These partnerships create safer communities every day.  

 

Behind every child we serve are donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners whose generosity enables us to expand prevention efforts, strengthen services, and reach more children and families when they need us most. Their support is essential to this shared mission.  

 

We also see the power of collaboration through the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, where organizations unite around a shared goal: preventing child abuse. Collectively, we are creating a stronger, more connected community response that shows what is possible when we work together.  

 

That same spirit is guiding our work along Minnesota’s North Shore. Over the past year, we have partnered with local agencies, schools, tribal communities, healthcare providers, and community leaders in Lake and Cook Counties to strengthen access to child advocacy services. These conversations are laying the foundation for solutions that will bring specialized services closer to home while supporting the professionals who serve children every day.   

 

As I reflect on this year, I am grateful for everyone who has invested their time, expertise, compassion, or financial support in our mission. These investments strengthen the network of people and organizations working every day to protect children and support families. Thank you for standing with First Witness. Your partnership makes this work possible and is creating a lasting impact for children, caregivers, and communities across our region.  

  

Sincerely, 

Tracie Clanaugh 

Executive Director 

Our 2025 Impact

Served 200 children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who reported physical or sexual abuse or witnessed violence through neutral, fact-finding forensic interviews conducted in a safe, age-appropriate setting, demonstrating a 144% increase in the past decade. 

Supported 413 new children and their caregivers through our comprehensive advocacy services, offering ongoing assistance for non-offending caregivers, medical and court advocacy, safety planning, and crisis intervention.  

Equipped 4,309 students, caregivers, educators, and community members through 209 Safe and Strong Child© prevention education sessions with tools to prevent, recognize, and respond to child abuse.  

Engaged 495 individuals through 27 educational presentations to local civic groups, churches, and college classrooms, raising awareness and mobilizing communities in the fight against child abuse.  

Prepared 321 child protection professionals in foundational and advanced skills in the ChildFirst® forensic interviewing protocol and other advanced topics, enhancing the quality and integrity of child abuse investigations. 

Trained 508 advocates and professionals through our nationally accredited Training for Advocates Working with a CAC© and additional advanced courses, expanding the reach and impact of best practices among child advocacy centers nationwide. 

2025 Finances

Total Assets: $4,771,854 

Total Liabilities: $63,008 

Net Income: $190,975 

FY 25 Ending Fund balance: $4,517,871  

Total Liabilities: $4,771,854 

A Legacy of Service 

Some people make an impact through a single act of generosity. Others spend a lifetime quietly building stronger communities. Cindy Kent is one of those people. 
 
Since 2017, Cindy has brought thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to children and families as a member of the First Witness Board of Directors. As she concludes her board service after reaching the organization’s term limit, she leaves behind a legacy rooted in decades of advocacy, compassion, and service.  

A pediatric intensive care nurse and later a nurse leader, Cindy saw firsthand the devastating impact of child abuse and the critical need for compassionate, coordinated care. When the opportunity arose to serve on a nonprofit board, First Witness was the first organization on her mind. “I just knew that’s where I wanted to give my time,” she recalled.  

Among the milestones Cindy is most proud of is helping guide First Witness through its successful capital campaign and the construction of its new child advocacy center. Serving as board treasurer during the project, she brought both financial stewardship and heart to the table, witnessing how vision, courage, and community support transformed an ambitious dream into reality. To Cindy, the building represents far more than a new facility; it reflects a community’s shared promise to ensure children and families have a safe, welcoming place to heal.  

Throughout her interview, Cindy characteristically shifted the spotlight away from herself and toward the team around her. She spoke with immense pride about the staff’s expertise, professionalism, and dedication, particularly the rising leaders in advocacy, forensic interviewing, prevention, and training. She also recognized the generous spirit of her fellow board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners. “It’s the people that make all the difference,” she noted.  

If one central theme defines Cindy’s leadership, it is her belief in the power of First Witness’s vision: a society free from child abuse. She frequently returned to this vision, calling it the beacon that “guides everything.” Her experiences throughout her nursing career reinforced a core belief that every child deserves dignity, compassion, and the protection of a caring community.  

Executive Director Tracie Clanaugh reflected Cindy’s impact, saying, “Cindy’s steadfast leadership and commitment have had a significant impact on the long-term health of our Child Advocacy Center. Her questions and curiosity have always been paired with words of support and wisdom. On a personal note, as the Executive Director of First Witness, I appreciated the kind-hearted support she has given me time and again. Cindy, you will be sorely missed!”  

We are profoundly grateful for Cindy’s nine years of service and the lasting mark she leaves on First Witness, our community, and the families we serve.  

Our Values

Our values were carefully created by the First Witness Board and Staff. The board has adopted these values and uses them as a guide as we make decisions and serve our communities. 

• Inherent Dignity, Rights, and the Best Interests of Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults 

• Compassion 

• Cultural Humility 

• Developing Cultural Awareness 

• Understanding Power Dynamics 

• Institutional Accountability 

• Equity 

• Sustainability 

• Efficient and Effective Practices 

• Collaboration With and Commitment to Systems Change 

• Empowerment