Chamber Program Highlights Child Abuse Awareness
Members of the Olney Chamber of Commerce gathered April 16 at Hudson’s on Main for the Spring Quarterly Luncheon, where a presentation on child abuse prevention brought a sobering but hopeful message to the local business community.
The luncheon, sponsored by Don’s Butane, featured speakers Kaci McKinzie, executive director of Virginia’s House in Graham, and Morgan Shook, the organization’s recruitment, outreach, and collaborative family engagement coordinator.
The event was held during Child Abuse Awareness Month, which Ms. McKinzie said is a time to both educate the public and strengthen community involvement.
“April is child abuse prevention month,” Ms. McKinzie said. “We really want to continue to grow and share and ensure that all of the communities… are aware of who we are, how to get involved in what we do.”
Virginia’s House serves Young, Stephens, and Throckmorton counties, providing a range of services aimed at preventing abuse, supporting children through investigations, and advocating for them during foster care cases.
Ms/ McKinzie outlined the organization’s three primary focus areas: prevention education, a child advocacy center, and its CASA program. Prevention efforts include schoolbased curriculum on healthy relationships and safety, as well as a mentoring program that pairs
volunteers with students across all three countie.s When abuse is reported, the organization’s child advocacy center provides a safe setting for forensic interviews, allowing children to tell their story once rather than repeating it to multiple agencies.
“It allows that child to have one person, a safe space to be empowered to tell their story,” she said.
Through its CASA program, trained volunteers are appointed by the court to advocate for children placed in foster care, often serving as the only consistent adult in a child’s life during the case.
“That’s why they are so very special,” Ms. McKinzie said. “Everything in that child’s life typically changes… except for their CASA advocate.”
Ms. Shook highlighted several outreach efforts tied to Child Abuse Awareness Month, including a community-wide “pinwheel garden” display and fundraising campaigns encouraging residents and businesses to “paint the town blue.”
The organization is also seeking additional volunteers, particularly CASA advocates, as caseloads fluctuate throughout the year. In Young County alone, about 17 children are currently in care, with roughly a dozen acvtie case.s “We currently have 12 advocates, and we have 12 current cases,” Ms. McKinzie said, noting the goal is to build a reserve of volunteers to meet future needs. Ms. McKinzie emphasized that while the work can be difficult, it is also deeply rewarding, particularly when families are reunited or children find permanent homes.
“Nothing more rewarding than being a part of adoption day,” she said.
She encouraged community members to get involved through volunteering, donations, or simply learning more about available resources at the organization’s website at virginiashousetx.org