The Child Advocacy and Parenting Place (CAPP) Center is closing its doors immediately, after 35 years of providing services to children and families in the Cape Fear area, according to a news release from the agency Monday.
 
In the release, CAPP executive director Elizabeth Mandel stated, “It has just become too debilitating for our small agency to raise the considerable funds year after year that are required to provide the evidence-based services that families need and that have been proven to work to strengthen our communities and prevent child abuse and neglect.”
 
“We have been struggling for several years to overcome the challenges of our merger, the following economic turmoil and the growth of not-for-profits chasing the same donors in our small community,” wrote CAPP board president Rob Gerlach in a letter to donors and granting organizations. “We have had many successes and thank you for being part of those achievements. We could not have done it without you.”
 
The Child Advocacy Commission merged with the Parenting Place in 2007.
 
Gerlach's letter stated that Child Advocacy was founded in 1978 to help area families with decent housing and adequate food and to help them combat abuse, violence and discrimination. It has connected clients with resources and has provided classes and support groups for parents and grandparents.

“To achieve these goals, we both served and collaborated with other agencies locally and across the state to provide education, resources, support groups and counseling to build on individual strengths and create a nurturing environment in which all families can thrive, succeed and enjoy life's full potential,” Gerlach wrote.

Board members are also facilitating the closing and sale of CAPP property at 1401 S.  39th St., according to the release.