The Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County on Friday toured renovated spaces in its Hoffman Estates facility that staff say were funded through a DCEO capital grant and a partnership with the Village of Hoffman Estates.

"We have recently had some renovations completed, through a DCEO grant that we received, a capital a capital grant that we received, and we have partnered with the Village of Hoffman Estates to to really beautify our space and make it really warm and comforting and beautiful for all of the clients and children that are coming in our doors every day," said Taylor Camara, the center’s development director.

The upgrades include newly redone bathrooms, a remodeled staff kitchen, fresh paint throughout, a new development-office configuration and a dedicated forensic-interviewer office that did not exist before the renovation. Rachel Gilmore, the center’s marketing and communications manager, led a walkthrough showing family waiting areas, an intake office and a multidisciplinary-team (MDT) conference room where partner agencies observe interviews via live stream.

"One of the main comments is that it felt like a house. It didn't feel like a hospital or a police station. I felt safe. I felt cared for," Gilmore said, summarizing feedback from children and families who use the center.

Gilmore described the MDT framework that brings together law enforcement, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the state’s attorney’s office and health-care personnel to coordinate forensic interviews and case planning. She said the center conducts forensic interviews for children and cited the center’s practice covering children ages 3 to 17 in abuse-related cases.

The renovation added family-friendly amenities that staff said accommodate visiting families: accessible changing tables, upgraded bathroom furnishings and a small kitchen for staff. Gilmore credited local service organizations for contributions: Palatine Rotary and Schaumburg Rotary helped fund bathroom upgrades and décor, and a local Rotary supported a healing garden maintained as a Monarch Waystation visible from the waiting area.

Staff roles and capacity were also highlighted during the tour. Gilmore said the upstairs reconfiguration houses the development team and allowed Development Director Taylor Camara to work alongside development, events and grants staff. She named Wendy Diaz as the lead forensic interviewer, noting Diaz has worked at the center seven years, and identified Taylor Edmonds and Paula Amat as part-time advocates and interviewers.

Center staff emphasized that advocates often remain involved with families beyond the initial interview, assisting through court proceedings when cases move forward. Gilmore described advocacy relationships that can last many months or years, depending on case needs.

The center’s leaders thanked the Village of Hoffman Estates and community partners for their support. No funding amounts were specified during the tour. The center invited visitors to view the refreshed facility and highlighted the space’s aim to make interviews and supports less clinical and more comforting for children and families.