Better Beginnings Brunch set for Jan. 27

Cross Timbers Family Services’ premiere fundraising event is right around the corner and this year’s Fourth Annual Better Beginnings Brunch will feature a new location, at Tarleton State University.

The event, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, will be held at the Barry B. Thompson Student Center Ballroom, located at 1451 West Jones Street in Stephenville.

The event changed locations in order to offer more space for the event, Executive Director Laura Gambino said.

Individual tickets are still available for $80 each or whole tables are available starting at $600. Silver sponsorships, confetti sponsors and bronze table sponsors are also still available The event will include brunch, bottomless mimosas, a photo booth, a silent auction, shopping and special guest speakers.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Cindy Burnette with Texas Health Resources. She is a forensic nurse who is a certified sexual assault nurse examiner (S.A.N.E.). She will be discussing the crime of sexual assault and the services the community and state provide through the S.A.N.E. program.

In Fall 2021, the Texas Legislature passed SB 476 requiring all 254 counties to have a SART team (Sexual Assault Response Team) made up of area law enforcement, district attorney, mental health, advocacy crisis center and healthcare. This task force must provide a biannual report on odd numbered years to our County Commissioner’s Court that reports the county’s efforts to support adult sexual assault victims along with a summary of the local sexual assault statistics. This new legislation is an important step in the state’s response to this crime and focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting these survivors. Erath county is fortunate in that we have had a SART team that is coordinated by Cross Timbers Family Services for many years. This task force evaluates all adult sexual assault cases in the county on a quarterly basis to be sure they do not fall through the cracks of the legal system and that victims are supported as best possible with local services.

“We will also highlight how Erath County supports these survivors and collaborates with law enforcement as well as the most recent statistics,” Gambino said. “We will discuss how this crime is particularly difficult to report, prosecute, and track because of the trauma and stigma associated with it.”

In previous brunches, CTFS has highlighted the crimes of human trafficking and domestic violence with information on how to identify these victims, how to get them to help, and more importantly, how to prevent these crimes. Each of these crimes comes with its own hallmark identifiers and challenges to recovery.

“The Better Beginnings Brunch is our major annual fundraiser for direct assistance to Erath County crime victims; however, we also utilize this brunch as a way to provide awareness and information to our community with the goal of keeping Erath County and our citizens safer and more secure. Yes, these are difficult topics to discuss; however, we believe it is crucial to discuss them in order to combat them,” she said.

All proceeds directly benefit victims of violent crime in Erath County.

“Our crisis center is committed to supporting all survivors of violent crime, each on a case-by-case basis, along with providing community education and prevention efforts. We advocate for victims on a daily basis in the courtroom and provide counseling services and basic needs to victims of crime in Erath County. We collaborate with all law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, the legal system and schools in keeping people safe and supporting survivors,” Gambino said.

For those interested in purchasing tickets or sponsorships go to www. eventbrite. com/ e/ betterbeginnings- brunch- 2024tickets or call 254-9655516.