South Central Child Advocacy Center Now Serving Children
Center serves Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas, Wright and a portion of Shannon counties.
The children, families and investigators of south central Missouri now have a child advocacy center within convenient driving distance of their homes and offices. Until we opened our satellite CAC in West Plains, these families were forced to drive up to 2.5 hours each way when a child needed the services of the Child Advocacy Center. Contrary to our mission, this was not a child-friendly experience. Parents were forced to take off a full day of work; children would miss an entire school-day and law enforcement officials were pulled from their communities for the better part of a day.
To address this situation, and because of our growing caseload in the region, the CAC spent the past 12 months laying the groundwork for a satellite facility. That center is now up and running at 411 Garfield (the former Howell County Health Department building). We are currently leasing the building with grant funds that end in early 2012. Our goal is to then purchase the building with funds raised through new grants and development.
We cannot thank the West Plains and surrounding communities enough for helping turn this dream into reality. Volunteers scraped, spackled and painted walls; contributed supplies; moved furniture; made cash donations towards children's toys and more. A law enforcement grant helped fund Forensic Interview equipment; a St. John's Force for Good grant funded exam room supplies and equipment. Sherwin Williams in West Plains donated all the paint; a law firm donated a brand-new fax machine and Bank of America donated nearly ALL of the office furniture. This project has been a true labor of love on behalf of the children of south central Missouri!
The CAC has also secured grants to help fund Forensic Interview equipment and exam room supplies and equipment. Sherwin Williams in West Plains donated all the paint for the first CAC work day on the building. We have received a donated fax machine and Bank of America will be donating office furniture once the bank moves to a new location. With more workdays planned throughout the summer, the CAC hopes to be serving children by late August.
Voice for a Child 5K
Melinda Ellison and Gloria Bales in the West Plains Probation and Parole office organized a 5K fundraiser to support the South Central CAC. Originally scheduled for late March, the event was actually held June 18 after heavy spring rains and continuous lightening postponed the event. Proceeds from the run have been designated for start-up needs of the center and plans are already underway for the second annual Voice for a Child 5K!
Individuals and businesses interested in getting involved in the 2012 5K run, or in making a donation of cash or equipment to the South Central CAC can call Linda at 417-831-2327.
