| Show Family Support Center prevents treats child abuse Dependable volunteers needed to assist in program Eugenia Assistant t Feature Editor AMILY Support Centers Center's F FAMILY primary goal is the prevention prevention prevention tion and treatment of child abuse and neglect One of the ways that the Center can be most effective is through the re enforcement re-enforcement ement of the family unit unit 7 said volunteer coordinator Julie McFarland The center has t two o crisis nurseries one in Sugarhouse and one in Midvale These are set up for parents who might be in crisis sit situations who feel that they may be at high risk for abusing their children They can call and talk to one of the therapists who will then refer them to toe e either ther center The center has counselors social workers therapists a psychologist and clerical staff who provide counseling for parents and individual coun coun- This center treats children and adults for sexual abuse Prevention programs are taught in the schools usually dealing with safety ty issues contacts with strangers touching how to be assertive up for your own rights The staff and volunteers volunteers volunteers volun volun- give these presentations at grade schools in inthe the Salt Lake City ity community area from kindergarten to sixth grade We e really believe that if we can reach one child who had problems in his or her own family or orone one who knows someone that they might be able to help with their problem If we have reach reached d. d one individual the program has been worth it if McFarland said We do see more children who are in a a higher risk category at the agency These are generally families who dont don't have a support system or a network of family and friends in the area So we try to fill ill that role for them McFarland McFarland McFarland Mc Mc- Farland said Volunteers are most effectively effectively effectively used in the prevention programs in the schools andare andare and andare are the ones that basically make the program effective Volunteers Volunteers' go out to the schools and make the presentations Crisis nurseries nurseries nurseries nur nur- series also are supported by volunteers This Center is partly funded by United Way State Division of Family Services Childrens Children's T Trust st Fund and by private donations McFarland said that abuse is growing at an alarming rate Most children that the Center cares for range from ages one to 11 iI but the center center cen cen- ter will take children up to to age 18 We are always looking for dependable volunteers to service the families of our community Mc McFarland said The Family Support Center has either a time one-time opportunity opportunity to help out for a couple of hours or up to fo a week 10 schedule Dates for recruiting volunteers volunteers volunteers volun volun- are Tuesday Sept 21 2 and Wednesday Sept 22 with all day training There is an annual fund fundraiser fundraiser fundraiser raiser from 6 pm p.m. to midnight midnight midnight mid mid- night on Saturday Aug 28 called The liThe Family Support Cen Center ter Casino Night at Wag Steak House There will be a raffle silent auction and gambling ta tables bles For more information call Julie McFarland at Volunteers also are needed for this function |
