To the editor:
No community is immune from the terrible blight of child abuse and neglect. Each year nationwide, thousands and thousands of children and their families suffer the tragedy of sexual and/or physical abuse and neglect. Many communities have no resources to offer these victims. This is where our community is different. We have The GreenHouse, a child-friendly environment for forensic interviewing and counseling, as a part of our district attorney’s office. The GreenHouse serves victims of abuse and neglect and also their non-offending family members with multiple services. These services are funded in part with government grants and some local money, but private contributions and fund raisers make up the bulk of available dollars for The GreenHouse.
Recently The GreenHouse held the third annual car show, Motor Mania. The show, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed until Sunday because of rainy weather. Despite changing days and a slumping economy, the show was a success. We may not have made as much money on the project as in years past, but what we see is a community coming together to support a cause and this is a priceless commodity. More than 60 car owners participated in the event, local vendors were there, church groups sold bake goods, and the show was well attended by people who were looking for a wholesome family-oriented event that didn’t cost them a lot of money.
The board of directors and staff of The GreenHouse thank everyone who participated. We would like to thank our community for pulling together to help make this area a better place to raise our families. For anyone wanting to know more about The GreenHouse, the staff is readily available for information or tours. It is our goal to build a new facility within the next few years that will not only offer the current services, but will add the medical exam component for victims all within the same building. Community supported events like Motor Mania will make this goal a reality for child abuse victims and their families.
Joanie Jackson
President, Board of Directors
The GreenHouse
