History

   The Children and Family Center is a not-for-profit organization founded to address family violence and abuse in northwest Missouri by drawing on the strengths of, and empowering, families; providing individualized advocacy and services; and working within the communities of northwest Missouri to educate and increase awareness about the causes and effects of violence and abuse.

   The Center began in 1998 when a grassroots community group envisioned a new agency to target the needs of children and families at risk for violence and abuse. Assessments were conducted in the community and proven models sought to develop a comprehensive program to support at-risk families. A broad range of agencies, organizations, professionals and parents provided input into what was needed to better serve at-risk families. The strategy developed included four main components: specialized counseling available to those in need regardless of financial means, parent education, support groups, and crisis shelter and services.

   The new agency’s executive director and board of directors began publicizing this exciting new venture and the quest was on to find a suitable facility to house the agency. A property meeting the Center’s needs was found in September 1999 and money for a down payment was raised. The Center took ownership of the house in April 2000 and began an extensive remodeling project on the 80+ year old former farmhouse and convent. With substantial assistance from volunteers and local merchants who reduced prices on materials, the first phase of remodeling was completed in March 2001. In 2001 the Center began providing services in the form of counseling and parent education. In October 2001 the Center’s partner organization, the Family Violence Council, obtained a grant to hire a full time domestic violence advocate who would operate from the Center. In November 2001 the Center began providing 24-hour crisis assistance with a toll free hotline and advocate response to individuals experiencing family violence. Services provided include court advocacy and emergency shelter at local hotels. The Center also began sponsoring the WINGS (Women in Need Gaining Support) group for women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse held twice weekly at the Center and weekly in Stanberry. Remodeling continued throughout 2002 to complete the rest of the facility and make it suitable for overnight crisis shelter. The Center began providing overnight shelter on an as-needed basis at its facility in September 2002. Currently the Center relies on its existing staff of two persons and trained volunteer advocates to provide assistance at the Center when overnight shelter services are needed. Efforts continue to obtain funding that will enable the Center to hire additional staff in order to be open 24-hours per day/7 days per week. The Center also continues to seek financial support to retire the mortgage on the facility to meet its goal of self-sustainability.

   Those visionaries meeting in 1998 wanted to find ways to improve the lives of children and families in northwest Missouri at-risk for and experiencing abuse and violence; to help them build a better life. Today the Center is thriving and providing a beacon to those seeking the brighter side of life.