By Hannah Barricks
Photography by Crystal Wise
Inside a small, bright interview room at one of Alliance for Children’s three Tarrant County centers, there are toys on the shelf, soft chairs, and walls painted in calming colors. It’s the kind of space designed to help a child exhale — to replace fear with safety. For many children in crisis, this marks the beginning of their journey toward healing.
For over 30 years, Alliance for Children has been a cornerstone of hope and justice in Tarrant County, serving the community as an accredited Children’s Advocacy Center. Its mission is as ambitious as it is compassionate: to minimize the emotional stress for child victims while ensuring a coordinated and effective path toward recovery.
“We are charged with navigating children through cases where they are believed to be victims of a crime,” says Julie Evans, chief executive officer of Alliance for Children. “Our goal is to reduce trauma for child victims and make sure the system around them supports healing.”
Evans celebrated 20 years with the organization this year, having served as CEO for the last 12 years. Before joining Alliance for Children, she spent six years as a partner agency member and began her career as an investigator with Child Protective Services in 1999 — her first “big girl job” after college. She later became a supervisor over an investigative team before settling into her current role.
“I was 22 when I started in this work, and those early days were eye-opening,” she says. “But I found my place here. There’s something unique about how this layered response can provide both healing and justice. I knew I was where I was meant to be.”
Alliance for Children is grounded in the multidisciplinary team model — a coordinated partnership among law enforcement, Child Protective Investigations (CPI), prosecutors, medical professionals and mental health experts. This collaboration, written into the Texas Family Code, ensures that every child in Texas has access to services that protect both their rights and their well-being.
“The team response is the heart and soul of a Children’s Advocacy Center,” Evans says. “And our board of directors has representation from Cook Children’s Medical Center, four police departments, CPI, the district attorney’s office and community volunteers — all working together.”
Before Children’s Advocacy Centers existed, children recounting abuse often had to tell their story as many as nine times to different investigators and agencies. Now, through a single, sensitive forensic interview in a child-friendly environment, that number is dramatically reduced.
“The goal is for the child not to have to relive that trauma over and over,” Evans explains. “Having a space where they can tell their story one time, in a way that’s developmentally appropriate, changes everything.”
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Alliance for Children relies on the strength of both public systems and private generosity. Some team members, such as CPI investigators and police detectives, are public employees, while the nonprofit side of the agency receives support from community donors, grants and volunteers.
“It’s a true public-private partnership,” Evans says. “We complement state and city resources with community support, and that’s what makes this work possible.”
Every service the organization provides is free of charge to children and families, including 24/7 crisis response, forensic interviews, medical examinations, counseling and family advocacy and prevention education.
Over the past two decades, the landscape of child abuse has evolved — and so has Alliance for Children’s response. In addition to handling traditional cases of physical and sexual abuse or neglect, the centers now address internet crimes against children, child sex trafficking and cases involving children who witness violence.
A key innovation came with the creation of a digital forensics lab at the organization’s Arlington location. The lab allows evidence from digital devices — such as phones or tablets — to be processed on the same day as the child’s interview, ensuring the child can quickly regain access to their device and minimizing disruption to their life.
“It’s been a game changer,” Evans says. “So many cases today involve online communication. If we can collect what we need that day and hand the phone right back to the child, it builds trust.”
Last month, the organization welcomed a new member of the team — a specially trained electronic storage detection canine, one of only three in the state of Texas. The dog will assist investigators in uncovering hidden digital evidence in child exploitation cases, offering both emotional support and vital investigative assistance.
While the agency’s mission continues year-round, the holidays create more opportunities for the community to step in and make a difference.
This month, Alliance for Children hosts its annual Christmas Connection Gift Drive, beginning on the 5th. The cherished tradition ensures that child victims and their protective caregivers experience joy and relief during what can otherwise be a challenging time.
The initiative transforms one of the organization’s centers into a festive pop-up store, where caregivers can “shop” for gifts at no cost, selecting new toys, electronics and other wish-list items for their children.
The Christmas Connection’s wish list includes items for all ages, from Barbies and building sets to tablets, gaming consoles and Taylor Swift merchandise — along with essentials like warm clothing, sports gear and gift cards. Each contribution goes directly to a family served by Alliance for Children, helping to ease financial strain and create lasting holiday memories for survivors of trauma.
“During the holidays, many of the families we serve are already under incredible stress,” Evans says. “Christmas Connection is our way of helping them experience joy and normalcy again — it reminds children that their community cares.”
Beyond immediate response and support, Alliance for Children remains deeply committed to prevention.
“Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job,” Evans says. “We envision a Tarrant County where our response isn’t needed because the community knows how to prevent abuse.”
Educational programs for children start as early as preschool, focusing on body safety and helping kids recognize “safe adults” in their lives. Adult education sessions teach parents and caregivers how to identify red flags, respond appropriately and create safer environments — both in-person and online.
“Adults are ultimately responsible for protecting kids,” Evans says. “The more we educate and empower them, the safer our community becomes.”
As the year comes to a close, Alliance for Children continues to expand its reach. Its annual Let’s Play Bingo event returns in February for its 16th year, bringing together more than 550 guests for a lively luncheon benefiting child victims. Later in 2026, a new concert event, Alliance for Children Live, will debut under the banner “One night, one stage, every child.”
From crisis intervention to Christmas cheer, Alliance for Children embodies the best of Fort Worth’s community spirit — neighbors helping neighbors, even in the most challenging circumstances.
“Every child deserves a safe, joyful life,” Evans says. “And every act of kindness — every donation, every volunteer — brings us one step closer to making that possible.”