Valerie Shorts, a Connecticut native, relocated to the Fayetteville area several years ago. She is the Branch Manager of Carter Bank & Trust. In the summer of 2022, she applied to volunteer for the CAC. Following her onboarding process, she became very interested in many facets of the Child Advocacy Center work. In the fall of 2022, she served as a part of the annual fall fundraiser, Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction. She joined the Marketing Committee of the CAC as well. Through her investment in both committees she has found herself being challenged to stretch herself in new areas. One of those areas has been to join the Speaker’s Bureau team that shares out in the community about the work of the CAC. She recently spoke to the NC Minister’s Wives and Widows Association and to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Valerie shared that she enjoys serving on the committees because she is encouraged by their vision for the future.
When asked what drew her interest to volunteer with the CAC, she shared that the partnership between Carter Bank & Trust (her place of employment) and the CAC, have a lot of the same values in wanting to advocate for the children in our community. Carter Bank & Trust makes a promise that caring is what they will always do best. For Valerie, she sees this as one was that for her as an individual she can share with her community.
She finds joy in volunteering and realizes that her ability to give back is an investment in the lives of the children of our community. Her love for the community she lives in pushes her to continue to make a difference in the life of children.
Valerie finds that volunteering, for her, has been the best thing. She encourages others to volunteer. She states, “You see the impact in the community on educating the public on how to protect our children. You can use your voice and knowledge to empower your community to take action.”
She feels blessed to have found the CAC and find fulfillment in being a part of the work that is happening to provide help, hope and healing to those who have been victimized by abuse.
To learn more about volunteering please visit the CAC website at www.cacfaync.org to learn more.
