When Missions Mesh

Crowd at recent groundbreaking for the Center

Gerber Foundation gifts $50,000 to The Center for Hope and Healing Campaign
 
The Gerber Foundation, through its West Michigan Grant Program, recently gifted $50,000 to the Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NCPCA) capital campaign.  The $50,000 will support the renovation of Leighton Hall in White Cloud into a state-of-the-art Center for Hope and Healing.  The Center will provide a wide range of services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo and Osceola counties.
 
According to Darkness to Light statistics, child abuse is more prevalent than most realize.  Their research found that 1 in 10 children either has experienced abuse, is experiencing abuse, or will experience abuse by the time they are 18.  Additionally, 60 percent of abuse and/or neglect cases are never reported.  Recent Kids Count data reports that over the last three years in the four Counties the Center will service, 15 percent of the child abuse/neglect investigations were substantiated for children between 1 and 17 years of age and of the confirmed cases, 58 percent of the cases involved children under the age of 8.   Children who are victims of sexual abuse and/or neglect often experience physical, emotional, and mental health problems.  Academic struggles, depression, suicide attempts, substance abuse, delinquency and crime are often early indicators that a child may have been abused.  Intervention is essential in helping traumatized children heal. 
 
The Open Arms Child Advocacy Center (OACAC) and NCPCA will be co-located in the facility and will partner to provide critical intervention and support, resources and prevention education to children and their caregivers in a private, safe, comfortable, and child-focused environment. The Center will have forensic interview rooms, family advocacy rooms, art and play therapy and child reading rooms, a medical suite, newborn safe sleep education and resources, a volunteer center and community store.  Additionally, multidisciplinary teams that include medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health providers, prosecution, child protective services, and victim advocates will have a place meet, discuss, and make decisions about how to best move forward in child abuse and neglect cases. 
 
“We see how the mission of the Center for Hope and Healing fits well with our mission” said Randy Puff, Chair of The Gerber Foundation Heritage Committee, “and we are very excited to support this project.”
 
To donate to The Center for Hope and Healing Capital Campaign go to: www.center4hopehealing.org.