Rockwall County, TX – This month Patricia Mejia reaches a milestone: ten years leading the Rockwall County Children’s Advocacy Center (CACRC). She joined the fledgling organization in the fall of 2016, became its first official employee, and helped guide the center from concept to full‑service operation in April 2018.
Building a First‑Rate Advocacy Center
Co‑founder Cindy Lindley recalls how quickly Mejia immersed herself in the work. “I don’t think I ever saw anyone learn so much in such a short amount of time,” Lindley said. Mejia led the remodeling effort, consulted with other Texas CACs, and became a walking encyclopedia of how a Children’s Advocacy Center should operate.
Under her direction, CACRC has become the sole agency of its kind serving Rockwall County, offering coordinated services that include forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma‑informed therapy, case coordination, education, and prevention.
Uniting the Community Around Child‑Protection
One of Mejia’s most visible achievements is the countywide “Go Blue for Kids” campaign, which ties the color blue and the month of April to Child Abuse Prevention Month. The initiative began as a modest awareness drive and has grown into a countywide statement of support. Each spring, blue ribbons appear on homes and businesses, residents wear blue, and public buildings are illuminated in the color. The campaign features a kickoff party, city and county proclamations, special business promotions, Pinwheels for Prevention, a Blue Sunday service, and a Go Blue for Kids Gala.
“Patricia is not only smart and capable, she is passionate about this work,” said Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper. “Our community is immeasurably better because of the enormous impact she has had on and with the CAC.”
Growth in Service and Reach
Since opening its doors, CACRC has served thousands of children and families. Annual caseloads have risen from 179 children in the first year to more than 600 in recent years, reflecting both community need and the center’s expanding capacity.
Mejia’s influence extends beyond Rockwall County. She sits on the Board of Directors for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, representing CACRC at the statewide level and helping strengthen services for child‑abuse victims across the state.
Recognition and Legacy
In 2020, Soroptimist International of Rockwall presented Mejia with the Ruby Award, honoring women whose work makes an extraordinary difference for women and girls. Lindley praised her, noting that the center is now “one of the very best in the state” thanks to Mejia’s hard work, long hours, and unwavering passion.
Beyond awards, Mejia’s lasting legacy is the culture of prevention she has helped foster. She emphasizes that when a child discloses abuse, the child’s greatest wish is for the abuse to stop. Over the past decade, she has worked to ensure that response is met with compassion, expertise, and hope.
Looking Ahead
As CACRC continues to grow, Mejia remains focused on expanding outreach, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, prosecutors, Child Protective Services, medical and mental‑health providers, and encouraging community members to recognize and report abuse. Her decade of service underscores the power of local leadership, faith‑based compassion, and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of Rockwall County.
Original reporting: Blue Ribbon News (Rockwall) — read the source article.
