BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Justice for children

By Callista Wilson, age 16 | January 1, 2019

Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.

Angela Seymour, Callista Wilson, Tracy Suares

A SAFER WORLD FOR KIDS Callista Wilson, a junior at The Post Oak School, interns at a nonprofit that helps kids in cases of child abuse. Here, Callista is pictured with advocates Angela Seymour (left) and Tracy Suares (on right).

The year 2014 changed my life completely. When I was 11, my family and I moved from Houston to London. We lived there for almost two years, and my interpretation of the world changed so much. Everything suddenly seemed larger and more important. I currently attend 11th grade at The Post Oak School, where I have been encouraged to extend my beliefs about the world by converting them into actions. I have done this by pursuing an internship at Justice For Children (JFC), on the frontlines in fighting child abuse.

Child abuse cases take on numerous forms and can continue for months or years before being uncovered. Often, mistreated children are reliant on their abusers, so they are placed in positions of powerlessness. Additionally, abuse cases that intersect with custody battles can make proceedings complex, as family courts tend to prioritize restoring family relationships.

For five months and counting, I have interned for JFC, a nonprofit with headquarters in Bellaire that provides advocacy services, legal navigation and pro-bono representation for victims of physical, sexual, emotional or neglectful child abuse. I believe in JFC’s conviction to never give up on any case, and The Post Oak School’s curriculum has supported me in contributing over 65 hours towards assisting JFC’s mission.

At JFC, I have had the fulfilling experience to work alongside a passionate team of advocates who work tirelessly to engage with people who reach out on behalf of children experiencing abuse. I have learned so much by helping to review and analyze documentation (forensic interview transcripts, therapist statements, sworn statements and medical documents) to uncover evidence to be used in letters to the judge and attorneys handling a case.

Children are the future. They deserve representation, our concentrated attention and our time. If you are aware of any case of child abuse, never hesitate to contact the police. If you know of a case where a child’s well-being is being neglected, JFC can help, and is dedicated to making the world a safer, more loving place for children. See justiceforchildren.org.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to [email protected]. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.