The Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center has three upcoming events to raise funds for children’s therapy and a prayer garden at the facility, and to raise awareness and child abuse prevention.
The center provides a safe place for child victims of abuse and witnesses to crimes to receive services including forensic interviews, referral services and on-site therapy.
The center collaborates with law enforcement, mental health, social services, victim’s assistance coordinators and medical personnel in working with child abuse cases.
The center is one of 15 nonprofits serving southwest Mississippi that will receive funds through the United Givers of Southwest Mississippi’s fundraising campaign, which runs through Nov. 26.
After that, the center will continue with other efforts to raise money and awareness.
On Nov. 28, it will sell ornaments for $15 each. The ornaments, molded and fired by several area pottery artists, resemble angel wings but are shaped by the hands of 3-year-old Caysen Bradford Graves. His grandmother, artist Linda Wallace of McComb, is heading up the sale.
“These precious children need angels to watch over them, and I feel that is exactly what the team does for these children through child advocacy,” Linda Wallace said. “They protect and help heal these children’s broken spirits.
“By placing the little heart in the area where the five fingers of each hand come together to form wings, we believe this ornament represents the love our team provides to the children and parents who come to the center. “
Wallace and Hillary Freeman handcrafted each ornament, and a team of volunteers did the finishing work on 500 of them.
On Feb. 6, the center will present “Toast to the Tots,” featuring food and wine from around the world, to be held at Fernwood Country Club.
On April 21, the center presents “Be the Light,” a presentation by Matthew Sandusky, at Southwest Mississippi Community College’s Fine Arts Auditorium. Sandusky will tell his story of abuse growing up with his father, former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, who is serving 60 years in federal prison for child abuse crimes against his son and a number of children.
United Givers executive director Molly Johnson says donations may cover specific items to assist the Child Advocacy Center. Here are include:
• $75 provides educational programs to the community and helps teach parents ways they can protect their children from abuse.
• $100 provides one counseling session, one advocacy session or one support group.
• $500 provides the opportunity for a professional to receive the specialized training necessary to conduct forensic interviews for child abuse victims.
• $1,000 provides four forensic interviews.
• $5,000 provides a combination of services, such as four forensic interviews, specialized professional training opportunities and educational programs.
