In March, Hope Unlimited Child Advocacy Center Director Donita Garner interviewed 15 children who were referred to the center due to accusations of abuse or neglect.
Too often parents who are stressed trying to make ends meet take their frustration out on their children, Garner told Iola Kiwanis Club members.
“We want to see children grow up to lead healthy, productive lives. This can be accomplished if parents seek help before their stress escalates into violence toward their children,” Garner said.
Garner’s mission at the Advocacy Center is to reduce the trauma experienced by abused and neglected children and refer families to recovery resources.
“We seem to see more families in crisis when gasoline prices rise,” said Michelle Meiwes, director of the Child Exchange and Parenting Center for Hope Unlimited.
As prices rise more money is taken from monthly paychecks for necessities such as food and utility bills leaving parents with a hopeless feeling of being able to care for their families. These feelings of inadequacy can translate to violence toward their children, Meiwes said.
The Child Exchange and Parenting Center provides a comfortable and secure setting for families in need of supervised visitation or monitored parental exchanges.
GARNER AND Meiwes encouraged Kiwanis members to wear blue ribbons during April in observance of Child Abuse Awareness month.
Garner said the Blue Ribbon Campaign raises awareness of the positive steps that can be taken to prevent child abuse.
Safe children and healthy families are a shared responsibility, Meiwes said.
Parenting can be a challenge. Garner encouraged club members to help other parents with chores and errands, to get to know the children in their neighborhoods and assist families with finding resources in the community that can help families who appear to be in crisis.
HOPE UNLIMITED relies on state grants and donations to continue its services to the community.
Some of the items on its wishlist include stamps, milk, eggs, cheese and butter, peanut butter, juice boxes, twin size sheets, batteries, cleaning supplies, bottled water, rice and paper products.
Volunteers are also needed to work in the office and emergency shelter.
Hope Unlimited will offer a volunteer training session from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 15 at its office at 8 N. Washington. For additional information about the training call Garner at 620-365-7566.
Iola Kiwanis Club meets each Tuesday at noon at Ken’s Pizza.
