"Children have the right to be free from violence and we, as a society, owe it to our children to create an environment where they can grow and develop into healthy adults.  I strive every day to do my part in creating a safer world for our children.”

Charlene M. Rivette, MSW, LCSW

Charlene “Char” Rivette is the Executive Director of the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, and has over 20 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, mental health, and human services.  After moving from Detroit, Michigan to Chicago in 1993, Char began working at DuPage County Health Department (Glen Ellyn), and later at Our Children’s Homestead (Naperville).  Just prior to joining the CCAC, Char served as Chief of Program Operations at Little City Foundation in Palatine and Chicago.  Throughout her career in Detroit and Chicago, Char has worked with children with histories of sexual and physical abuse, and neglect. She has been engaged as a clinician, case manager, advocate, supervisor, administrator, and leader in the field.  In addition, Char has worked as a private therapist for children in the foster care system, and as a consultant with Quality Improvement Associates.

Char has extensive knowledge and experience in program development and implementation, fiscal management, team and leadership development, and quality improvement.  She believes in a collaborative leadership style, often serving as a bridge between different voices within and outside of an organization.  Char understands the clinical needs of the children served, the necessity for strong public, private and community partnerships.  She has the ability to lead and operate complex program operations, and the strong desire to be a voice for the children in Chicago who have suffered maltreatment.

Char earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Education from Central Michigan University.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Child Welfare Worker in the state of Illinois.