Children's Advocacy Center murals unveiled

Local Children's book illustrator Kathryn Brown, DA Sullivan, Child Abuse Unit Chief Linda Pisano, Children's Advocacy Center Director Susan Loehn and other NWDA staff welcomed visitors to the newly decorated Children's Advocacy Center, a residential home where children suspected of being abused are medically examined and interviewed in a non-threatening setting.

One of 11 centers in as many district attorney districts in Massachusetts, the Elm Street residence that houses the CAC iis owned by Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, whose students refurbished it. It has a medical examining room donated by Cooley Dickinson Hospital -- and now three beautiful murals painted by Brown, artist Colee Asia and area students.

Brown described her inspiration for the waiting room mural which shows elves in a daffodil garden. They're a multicultural group and yet they're all elves, Brown said. She hopes children who come to the center will see themselves in the elves and that it will lift the children's spirits.