As part of child abuse prevention month, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children is donating over $104,000 to child help agencies around the state.
Over 28 agencies will receive grants to help pay for activities, clothing, and other resources for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected.
Stephenie Teague, with the Survivor Empowerment Center in Carbondale, says this money allows them to create a comforting space for kids who come to the shelter.
"We will be using the funds for children within our shelter. So, we are providing domestic violence/sexual assault counseling, where families will bring in their kiddos. So, we're looking at providing a comfort corner for the children."
She says the funds will also allow them to provide support to kids within the school system and help pay for counseling they provide.
Without the help from the Poshard Foundation, Teague says none of the agencies would be able to do what they do.
"What they do is what allows all of the agencies in the community a chance to really normalize the children's lives and without that, we would really struggle."
The foundation also handed out hundreds of hand made blankets, quilts, and bags that had been donated for the agencies.
A total of 28 grants will be given to Southern Illinois agencies to be used specifically for services directly dealing with abused, abandoned and neglected children in our region. Those organizations are:
Amy Schultz Child Advocacy Center, Mt. Vernon
Arrowleaf, Vienna
Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services, Carmi
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois
Brightpoint, Herrin
Cairo Women’s Shelter, Inc.
Caritas Family Solutions, Carterville
CASA of Franklin & Hamilton Counties, Benton
CASA of Jefferson County, Mt. Vernon
CASA of South Central Illinois, Salem
CASA of Southeastern Illinois, Harrisburg
Centerstone, West Frankfort
Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network, Anna
Clarity Women’s Care, Carbondale
Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center, Herrin
Hoyleton Youth & Family Services
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, Southern Region
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Marion
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois - Prisoner and Family Ministry, Marion
Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center, Pinckneyville
Shawnee Health – Healthy Families Program, Carterville
Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless, Marion
Spero Family Services, Mt. Vernon
Stress and Trauma Treatment Center, Inc., Eldorado
Survivor Empowerment Center, Carbondale
The Guardian Center, Carmi
The Night’s Shield, West Frankfort
Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center, Anna
