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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center welcomed Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to its new facility on April 5.

Executive Director of Butterfly Bridge Jana Zuelzke introduced Marshall to her staff as well as members of the multi-disciplinary teams that help support the child advocacy center.

Marshall has set a goal to visit all victim service agencies in the state of Alabama in 2022 such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers and children’s advocacy centers. Butterfly Bridge is one of 35 agencies in the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.

“We really enjoyed the visit with the attorney general, we’re really fortunate that he wanted to get out all over the state to visit all the victim service agencies this year,” Zuelzke said. “He wanted to see how everyone was doing, and how everyone was dealing with things.”

Marshall was interested in seeing how the agencies were responding after the pandemic and to see if there was anything his office could assist them with.

Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon, Department of Human Resources director Marilyn Colson, 19th Judicial Circuit Chief Deputy District Attorney CJ Robinson and Thorsby Principal Corey Clements were some of the multi-disciplinary team representatives in attendance.

Zuelzke also gave Marshall a tour of the new facility at 502 Fifth Avenue North in Clanton.

“We’re glad that he wanted to hear what we had to say about the state of Chilton County, victims’ services, how we are all working together and what needs we have that maybe his office could help with,” Zuelzke said.

April is child abuse prevention month, and Butterfly Bridge has many community events planned throughout the month. Businesses have partnered with Butterfly Bridge on specific days to give back to the organization— Hope’s Chest Boutique on April 15, Neighborhood Grill & Catering on April 19, LaLa’s Cakes and Events on April 22 and The Bearded Peach on April 28.

Deidra Gadberry at State Farm Insurance will give $10 back to Butterfly Bridge for every insurance quote, and Martin Funeral Home will give $10 back for every preneed funeral arrangement purchased in April.

More information on the events this month can be found on the Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Facebook page and their website butterflybridgecac.org.

“We’ll be doing all different kinds of awareness to educate the community on how to protect kids,” Zuelzke said. “There is a big focus this month on trying to encourage our community to be the eyes and ears, report something if you see something.”