On July 17th, 2009 the Child Advocacy Center of La Rabida Children's Hospital will be hosting its First Annual Summer Fest on the campus of the La Rabida Children's Hospital. The event is an effort to provide financial and local community support to the Child Advocacy Center of La Rabida Children's Hospital; one of La Rabida's most necessary departments.

La Rabida Children's Hospital's mission is to provide care to children with lifelong medical conditions regardless of their family's ability to pay has been unwavering. Today, La Rabida serves approximately 9,000 children annually who require primary and specialty care to address complex and challenging medical conditions. Services and programs include treatment for chronic illnesses such asthma, diabetes, and sickle cell disease, and developmental disabilities.

The Child Advocacy Center is a safe, child-friendly environment for children who have experienced psychological trauma and for alleged victims of sexual abuse and other violent crimes. The CAC provides investigative, therapeutic and support services free of charge to children and their families throughout the Chicagoland area and South Suburban Cook County.

La Rabida's First Annual Summer Fest is a celebration of CAC's current success in supporting children who have experienced events for which the best of us would have trouble coping with while spreading the word of its efforts not only to interested volunteers but more importantly to the ears and hearts of those who may currently be in need of such services. Featuring local artist performances (including the CAC's own Berkeley Baker) supporting a local community effort, the La Rabida Summer Fest is a success in itself as it enables the gathering of concerned individuals in a group effort to make a better place for our cherished gift; our children.

We're hoping that you will contribute to that success by supporting the La Rabida Summer Fest.