Children’s Wisconsin is proud to announce a $2.25 million commitment from Panda Cares to support child life services provided by Children’s Wisconsin at seven Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) across the state.
The funding will support therapeutic play, art therapy, meditation and counseling services for kids being cared for at Children's Wisconsin CACs. Kids are referred to a CAC to mitigate the risk of negative outcomes caused by abuse, neglect and trauma. They do this by swiftly coordinating the complex network of services needed to investigate allegations of maltreatment and deliver advocacy services. Panda Cares funding will support child life specialists in the CAC environment ensuring we deliver care and services in the most kid-friendly ways — contributing to comfort, healing and stronger health outcomes. Child life specialists are trained to support children in a developmentally appropriate manner through therapeutic play, education, guided imagery and self-expression activities. These programs help the entire family start on a path to healing and safety, yet have no revenue associated with them, making philanthropic support critical.
Panda Cares is Panda Restaurant Group’s philanthropic arm, and focuses on funding safe spaces where youth can learn, play and receive guidance and support to become their best selves. Through partnerships with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, they create Panda Cares Centers of Hope for patients and students nationwide.
The waiting room at each the Children’s Wisconsin Child Advocacy Centers in Eau Claire, Fox Valley, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth and Wausau are now recognized as a Panda Cares Center of Hope. Their commitment is made possible by donations from Panda Express associates and guests, where funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express benefit each store’s local community.
“A child who has been abused or neglected has faced the unimaginable, and it is our responsibility to care for their immediate needs and start them on a path to safety and healing. At the same time, we seek the most innovative, evidence-based strategies to prevent abuse all together,” said Connie Klick, director, Child Advocacy and Protection Services at Children’s Wisconsin. “None of this would be possible without the support of benefactors like Panda Express. Thanks to their philanthropic support, we have the resources to help kids and families today while working toward a brighter tomorrow — one where no child is abused.”
“We are proud to partner with Children’s Wisconsin to extend the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to Child Advocacy Centers around the state, and are humbled to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids,” said Peggy Cherng, PhD, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.
To recognize Panda Cares’ extraordinary commitment, a ribbon cutting to celebrate the Child Advocacy Center in Milwaukee as a “Panda Cares Center of Hope” was held on April 25.
