At a time when other events were occurring in the city, about 550 supporters of The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth attended its annual fund raiser Sept. 17 at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds with Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman as its keynote speaker.
Joe Gazin, KIII TV-3 news anchorman, who served as master of ceremonies at The Ark Gala, said the shelter has given abused and neglected children under its care “a whole new reason for living.”
“Bless the children at The Ark,” said Bishop Michael Mulvey, bishop of Corpus Christi, during the invocation. He said the community needs to take care of “the most vulnerable among us.”
Justice Guzman, the first Hispanic woman elected to statewide office in Texas, chairs the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families. She has worked with leaders across the state to improve outcomes of safety and permanency, and to foster the well-being of the children and families under the state’s conservatorship.
She recalled a court case early in her career in which a mother was sentenced to prison for child abuse. In a situation like that one, Guzman said a child may ask, “Is it my fault? Where will I sleep?” Meanwhile, the judge asked: “What can I do to keep the child safe?”
Children at The Ark “have lost so much,” said the justice.
Guzman, addressing what the community can do to help alleviate child abuse, said “If you see abuse, make the call” (to Child Protective Services). Volunteering is another option. “Judges need to understand that the decisions they make impact the community.” The commission she chairs is trying to get more attorneys trained in child abuse matters.
Delma Trejo, The Ark’s executive director/administrator, spoke of how the facility has developed over the years. “Little by little, we’ve been growing, and it’s thanks to all of you.”
In closing, Rene Esquivel, the shelter’s board chairperson, said Sister Milagros Tormo, MJMJ, The Ark’s board president, is “God’s servant on Earth doing his work.” His comment was followed by the audience’s thunderous applause.
Also part of the 16th gala were dinner, a silent auction with nearly 500 items, a live auction conducted by diocesan director of communications Marty Wind and background music by Manuela Shull’s piano students.