April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this year’s theme for the national movement was “moving from the challenge to the change.” The month emphasized the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Prevention services, such as ACH’s program Real Help for Real Life, helps parents, caregivers, and communities protect children and strengthen families by equipping them with resources, skill-building classes, and counseling to help them thrive.
This year, our annual Lend a Hand luncheon not only helped raise awareness and inspire advocacy for abused and neglected children, it spotlighted the challenges youth and families face and how Real Help for Real Life provides solutions.
Fort Worth Mayor
Chief Executive Officer
ACH Child and Family Services
At ACH Child and Family Services, our mission is to protect children and preserve families by helping them overcome life’s challenges. Real Help for Real Life is one way we live out that mission. The program provides youth and family counseling and skill‑building classes that strengthen families and empower young people to grow and flourish — all at no charge.
With convenient locations across Tarrant, Johnson, Parker, Hill, and Palo Pinto counties, these bilingual services are available to children and teens ages 6 to 17 who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, conflict at home, bullying, behavior issues, school attendance problems, or even thoughts of running away. Through counseling and practical skill‑building, we offer practical solutions for real life situations, which helps kids and families grow stronger together.
At our 2026 Lend a Hand event, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and ACH CEO Dr. Wayne Carson, presented the state of child welfare in Fort Worth and moderated a panel discussion. Real Help for Real Life staff and people who have used the program shared how the program is making an impact in our community, keeping children safe and families strong.
We are so thankful for the resulting support of this event, which raised more than $90,000, thanks in part to a $25,000 matching gift from LaRue May Thomas in honor of her grandfather, C.E. McMinn! We appreciate everyone who attended Lend a Hand and supported our mission of keeping the children in our community safe.
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Not an emergency services phone number. Call 911 for medical emergencies.
In Texas: 1.800.252.5400
Nationwide: 1.800.4.A.CHILD
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