The Friends help local victims of child abuse in ways no one else can

We help each child individually

Child victims of abuse, neglect and violence can feel broken, “not normal” and isolated. The Friends help these abused children rebuild their lives by small but powerful needs. Where else would these children find this type of help?

• Emergency Needs – a child taken from his home may have only the clothes on his back; we help with emergency clothing, bedding, footwear, hygiene items, school supplies. The Friends also maintains a clothes closet.
• Life Enrichments – Sports equipment, tutoring, Senior photos and yearbook, new clothes to wear to school, summer camps, so much more.
• Empowerments – “Winners’ Camp to provide leadership training for at-risk teens
• Critical Needs – gas coupons to enabling victims with transportation to counseling

We help each child indirectly

We assist the Center where allegations of abuse can be investigated in a friendly, safe environment by trained professionals. (link to Story of CJC) By supporting the Center, the Friends support the child.

• Maintenance of the child friendly building and its atmosphere
• Snacks and drinks for children who may be at the center for several hours
• Critical Training supporting the professionals who interview and work with the child
• Collection of stuffed animals and other small gifts for each child to claim when they first visit the center.

We help possible abuse victims of the future by educating the public today.

• Prevent Child Abuse materials disseminated at Community Fairs
• Speaker’s bureau to civic clubs and other organizations
• Informative displays, press releases and other outreach activities

Breaking the cycle of abuse

Can the cycle of abuse be broken? Will an abused child be likely to continue the abuse when they grow up? How can my donation help break the cycle?

HelpGuide.org offers the following information:

“Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuate it.

While physical abuse is shocking due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is as obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm.

Parents who were themselves victims of child abuse may only know how to raise their children the way they were raised.” (End of quoted material)

By helping abused children at critical times in their lives, we can together begin to break the cycle of child abuse. Children can learn new ways to cope, new ways to handle their own anger and frustrations. Your support for the Friends help them to help themselves.