Speaker: R. Benedict, Children's Justice

"We need your help," said Robin Benedict of the Friends of the Children's Justice Center.  She announced that she wanted to touch our hearts to help the Center help the children "who see deplorable things."  Robin is the only paid staff, with 10 vlounteers.  Last year, the Center saw 630 children, from assault victims to children who witnessed violent crimes. 

 

Robin has more than 20 years' experience with the Department of Human Services and finds it rewarding to help child victims of abuse and neglect. 

 

She noted research shows that abuse is a learned behavior; if children who experience this as part of life don't receive help, they may well repeat these learned behaviors as an adult. 

 

"Each day in the US, more than three children die of abuse," she said. 

 

She said locally, 158 children suffered severe abuse.  "A lot of these children just want someone to love them," she said.

 

Among the things the Center regularly needs are new underwear, in any size, and rubber slippers.

 

The Friends work with the Center to offer supportive programs to assist the children traumatized by assault, abuse and neglect. They sponsor "Winners Camp"  where the children learn leadership and life skills as well as self worth.

 

The Friends have applied to RCHB to be our 2015 Weinberg project.