NEWS RELEASES

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 24, 2021)  -- Today, the Board of Directors of CARES Northwest is pleased to announce that Jenny Gilmore-Robinson, a nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience in child abuse and advocacy work, has been selected as the organization’s next executive director.

Jenny comes to CARES Northwest after nine successful years as the executive director of ABC House, a children’s advocacy center located in Albany, Oregon. During her tenure at ABC House, Jenny dramatically changed the landscape for this nonprofit that serves Benton and Linn counties. She led a team in the design and completion of an ambitious new facility that doubled the center’s capabilities to deliver child abuse assessment and counseling capacity. Under Jenny’s leadership, ABC House also increased its prevention education programming to reach over 3,000 community members each year.

“Jenny is a proven child advocacy leader with a track record of standing up for children in need,” says Bronwyn Houston, President of Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and vice chair of the CARES Northwest of governing board. “We are thrilled to have Jenny at the helm leading the team at CARES Northwest in its mission to protect children in our communities and to advocate for the prevention of child abuse.”

Prior to ABC House, Jenny worked at St. Andrew Legal Clinic, a nonprofit family law clinic, and Child Centered Solutions as a court-appointed children’s attorney.  Jenny began her career in child welfare at CityBridge Foundation, a child advocacy foundation based in Washington, D.C. that provides support to children’s advocacy centers in the Philippines. In 2020, Jenny was recognized by Trillium Family Services with the Keep Oregon Well—Mental Health Heroes Award. This is a testament to her lifelong work to create a healthier generation of children so that they can become the next generation of healthy, inspiring adults.

“For over a decade I have worked alongside CARES Northwest, first as a children's lawyer and more recently as the director of a fellow children's advocacy center,” said Jenny Gilmore-Robinson. “I have been continually impressed by the staff's compassion and expertise, and the organization's commitment to raising the bar higher for services to children and families impacted by abuse. I am honored and excited to join this phenomenal team.”

CARES Northwest is a children’s advocacy agency with a 34-year history in the region dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse. It is a collaborative nonprofit led by Randall Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Providence Children’s Health. CARES Northwest has served more than 42,000 children since opening in 1987. Children who have suffered abuse or neglect receive medical evaluation and mental health services, including trauma therapy and other support services designed for children recovering from abuse. CARES Northwest also works to stop abuse before it happens by providing prevention education to schools and community groups focused on: violence prevention, helping adults create safe environments for youth, and signs of child maltreatment or trauma.

CARES Northwest works in concert with its partners in law enforcement, child protective services officials in Multnomah and Washington Counties, community partners, and the State of Oregon to help children and their families on the path to recovery and healing.

About CARES Northwest

Since 1987, CARES Northwest’s dedicated mission has been to provide a safe and secure environment for every child who may be a victim of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence. In partnership with our community, we assess, treat, and prevent child abuse and neglect. CARES Northwest is the only children’s advocacy center serving Multnomah and Washington counties, and is one of the longest-running centers in the country. We are a locally funded collaboration between Kaiser Permanente, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Providence Children’s Health, and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

To learn more about us: http://www.caresnw.org/