Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center Appoints New Executive Director

Hutchison first started working with Dee Norton in 1991 as a volunteer through the Junior League of Charleston, the organization that helped found the child advocacy center. She then became a member of the board of directors serving as Chair in her last year, and eventually joined the staff in 2001. Hutchison first worked as the fundraising coordinator and most recently as the director of development and communications. In this role, she was instrumental in the successful $5 million capital campaign to renovate the original King Street Center and build the second Long Point Road location in Mt. Pleasant, giving the organization space to double the number of children it can serve.

“I am honored to lead Dee Norton into the future as we continue to grow our impact and am approaching this role in the same spirit as when I started volunteering with this wonderful organization,” she said. “And that is: How do I serve best?”

The nonprofit is celebrating its 30 year anniversary, and like many organizations, had to adapt its services to continue to meet the needs of the community throughout the pandemic including implementing telemedicine. “Before COVID hit, we had just moved into the vision of having two fully operating centers,” said Hutchison. “We learned how to grow and adapt and are now positioned to continue to make strategic decisions about the future of the organization and bridge what we have been to what we are going to be.”

The organization will maintain a focus on enhancing its programs and developing new ones by creating a new role for Swiecicki, who will leverage her expertise and institutional knowledge to incorporate the latest advancements in the field of child abuse.

“This organization is already having a meaningful impact on children’s lives, and with this new programmatic focus, we can continue to develop and pilot new programs and seek ways to best deliver services to the community,” said Swiecicki. “With this renewed operational and programmatic focus, Dee Norton will be even stronger as we approach this next chapter of growth.”

National estimates indicate that nearly 11,500 children are abused in Charleston and Berkeley counties each year, putting them at risk for a host of adverse physical and emotional outcomes.

To learn more about Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, support the organization financially or as a volunteer, or access prevention and treatment resources, visit www.deenortoncenter.org.