In its 20th anniversary year, the Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center is embarking on a fundraising campaign to renovate its new home to expand critical services provided to child victims of abuse and their families.
The Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center (ACCAC) is developing an 1863 building at 224-228 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, where the nonprofit will be able to serve more children than it is currently able to assist at its 450 W. Middle St. facility. The new location will allow ACCAC to expand services supporting children who have been abused or neglected, providing forensic interviews, medical exams, advocacy, and mental health programs. The Baltimore Street facility will be known as The Brighter Tomorrows Center and triple ACCAC’s capacity to provide services.
Since 2006, ACCAC has supported more than 3,000 child victims of abuse, but nearly 3,000 Adams County children are at risk of abuse and neglect each year. In 2025, ACCAC supported 244 Adams County children, although the organization received many more referrals.
“Every year, we receive more than 500 referrals for children experiencing abuse and neglect,” said ACCAC Executive Director Elida Murray. “The Brighter Tomorrows Center will provide the space we need to ensure that every child victim in Adams County has access to the services they need to heal from the trauma of abuse.”
At the smaller West Middle Street property, the nonprofit can only serve one child/family at a time. By contrast, the future Brighter Tomorrows Center spans more than 5,630 square feet (nearly triple the size of the current facility), and when renovated, will be able to serve multiple children/families at the same time. Currently in the pre-construction phase, the ACCAC has secured $1.68 million in donor support, plus local and state funding. While this generous support is greatly appreciated, the ACCAC needs the community’s help to get the project over the finish line. Donations can be made online at kidsagaincac.org/brightertomorrows. The ACCAC plans to open The Brighter Tomorrows Center in the fall of 2028.
Community events planned for National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April
This campaign launch comes as the ACCAC prepares to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
Throughout the month of April, community members can look forward to fun family-friendly events designed to foster connection and raise awareness. Activities on the schedule include bingo, a family hike, an outdoor movie night, and more. Many of the events are free, while proceeds from ticketed events will benefit the ACCAC.
The month will kick off with a sign planting April 1 at noon at 224 Baltimore St. Each sign placed will represent one of the 244 children ACCAC supported in 2025. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by March 27 by emailing EMurray@kidsagaincac.org or calling 717-414-2340.
Additional events to look forward to include:
- April 2 — Community Partner Day at Mansion House 1757: 10% of food and beverage sales will benefit ACCAC. Reservations requested.
- April 9 — Community Partner Day at HoneyBee restaurant: 20% of every purchase will benefit ACCAC.
- April 10 — County-wide Wear Blue Day: Wear blue to show your support for child abuse prevention. Tag @KidsAgainCAC in your photo on social media to be entered into a raffle.
- April 11 — Family-friendly guided hike at Caledonia State Park. This free event includes a snack and hot dog lunch. Registration required.
- April 11 — Book Bingo at Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville. Play bingo and win books at this free event. Registration is requested.
- April 11 — Music Bingo at Granite Hill Camping Resort. Pay $20 cash at the door to play 10 games, all ages welcome.
- April 18 —Brighter Tomorrows Bazaar at The Brighter Tomorrows Center. Shop small and explore vendors selling jewelry, crafts, food and more.
- April 18 — Forever Young – Adult Prom at The Lodges at Gettysburg. Enjoy an evening of dancing, music, food, and laughter. Purchase tickets through The Lodges.
- April 19-25 — Community Partner Day at Lincoln Links: Play a round of mini golf and $3 will benefit the CAC. Participants must show the event flyer, which can be found at bit.ly/LincolnLinksFlyer.
- April 23-25 — Community Partner Day at Schmuck Lumber/ACE Hardware: All proceeds from specific plant sales benefit ACCAC.
- April 23 — Community Partner Day at Olivia’s restaurant: 20% of every purchase will benefit ACCAC.
- April 23 & 30 — Community Partner Days at Garryowen Irish Pub: 10% of sales will benefit ACCAC.
- April 25 — Outdoor Movie at Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center. Join ACCAC and the Gettysburg Film Commission for a free showing of “Charlotte’s Web.”
- All of April — The Sign of the Buck will donate $1 to ACCAC for every blueberry cobbler semifreddo sold throughout the month.
- All of April- Aldus Brewing will donate & match $1 from drafts of their American Blonde Ale, purchased at Dolphin & Anchor Brewpub, 13 Center Square, Hanover
For additional event details, visit kidsagaincac.org/events.
Throughout April, community members can also show their support for National Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue. This color represents the bruises many child victims of abuse endure.
“As equally important as serving these children who have been abused is preventing abuse in the first place,” Murray said. “That’s why our April ‘Go Blue” for Child Abuse Prevention’ campaign is so important — to raise public awareness about the issue of child abuse. This is our community, these are our kids, let’s do better to protect them.”
The Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center (ACCAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a child-friendly, trauma-informed supportive environment to help children through the trauma of abuse from initial outcry to hope and healing. ACCAC works within its local community to prevent child abuse while continuing to support child victims. All services are provided free of charge to the family for as long as the child/family wants them. For more information, visit kidsagaincac.org.