The Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children received a $50,000 grant from JE Dunn Construction on Wednesday, August 6.

Founded in 1976, The Advocacy Center is dedicated to promoting the healing of children and crime victims through advocacy, collaboration, prevention, and treatment.

“We are so thrilled and honored to receive this grant from JE Dunn Construction,” said Executive Director Aleigh Ascherl. “We are looking at significant grant budget reductions as we plan and budget for our next year, and JE Dunn has truly stood in that gap in funding for us.”

The Waco-based nonprofit will use the donation for their violence prevention programming. This initiative aims to reduce sexual violence by equipping K-12 students across six Texas counties with the tools to build healthy relationships and develop critical social-emotional skills through school-based group sessions and community outreach.

“Our Prevention and Education Department funding has been impacted the most, and this grant from JE Dunn will allow them to keep doing the important work they are doing in our schools, neighborhoods, and communities,” Ascherl added. “Educating young people, specifically, about healthy relationships creates healthier and safer communities, and we are so grateful JE Dunn is helping us continue towards that goal.”

The donation will support curriculum delivery, community engagement, and paid internships for local high school students, promoting both safety and economic opportunity.

The grant is part of JE Dunn’s Cornerstone Campaign, which expands the company’s existing annual giving by donating an additional $1 million+ each year. Charities across the United States were selected by employees and vetted by JE Dunn’s Community Impact team and national Cornerstone Committee.

JE Dunn employees chose “Access to safe and supportive spaces for kids in need” as the focus for the 2025 Cornerstone Campaign.

“We are thrilled to launch this new, employee-driven philanthropic strategy as part of our Community Impact. Our employees resoundingly chose to support organizations that create safe and supportive environments for kids in need,” said Nancy Phelps, JE Dunn Community Impact Director. “What an incredible honor to partner with our local communities in shaping a brighter future for the next generation.”

JE Dunn and its employees work to support the creation of safe spaces like community centers and youth clubs where children can socialize, develop, and engage in extracurricular activities. These efforts aim to reduce bullying and youth violence while fostering mental well-being and personal growth.

About The Advocacy Center

The Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children serves six central Texas counties by providing comprehensive services to victims of violent crime and child abuse and their families while creatively working to prevent those crimes from happening. Through advocacy, collaboration, counseling, and education, the center works to create true and lasting change to end violence and abuse. For nearly 50 years, the organization has been a trusted resource in Central Texas.