Did you know that KIDS Center, Central Oregon’s only child abuse intervention center, was formed in Bend?
Twenty two years ago, a group of community-minded citizens and organizations came together to advocate on behalf of children throughout Central Oregon. The goal: to create a nurturing and positive environment for children of all ages who have been affected by abuse. Today, KIDS Center provides a safe and professional environment for children to tell their story and receive the help they need to end the abuse and begin the healing process.
Since its inception, this local non-profit has performed over 10,000 evaluations. An evaluation at KIDS Center includes a head-to-toe medical exam, a child-friendly forensic interview, and family support services. Additionally, nearly 5,000 children have received therapeutic services, provided by licensed child therapists, to aid them in the process of healing and to overcome the devastating impact of abuse.
Built by the community and for the community, KIDS Center, a non-profit with a $2.2 MM annual operating budget, depends greatly upon donor relations. The generosity of our annual donors provides all KIDS Center services at no cost to the families they serve.As insurance reimbursements continue to decrease, KIDS Center is able to continue providing these services thanks to the increasing support of hundreds of individuals and businesses in the Central Oregon community.
KIDS Center employs 27 people. Staff includes Medical Examiners, Forensic Interviewers, Licensed Therapists, Prevention Specialists, and Development Personnel. Nearly 60 percent of KIDS Center’s $2.2 MM operating budget is funded through individual and corporate donations via annual events like Cork & Barrel and the Healing Hearts Luncheon, as well as donor advised funds through organizations such as United Way and the Oregon Community Foundation.
In an effort to prevent the abuse of children from happening in the first place, KIDS Center has trained 10,000 adults in Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training. For every one adult trained in this curriculum, 10 children are better protected…imagine the impact this has had on so many children throughout Central Oregon!
KIDS Center’s new fundraising event, Cork & Barrel, launched in 2013 with the goal to raise additional operating funds to support KIDS Center’s direct services. A wine-oriented, three-day event that combines fun with education, Cork & Barrel has allowed KIDS Center to expand services beyond the child victim and provide better support for the whole family. Because of Cork & Barrel, KIDS Center is able to offer Bridges to Healing therapy and support groups to parents and siblings, helping the entire family heal and become whole again.
One mother who recently participated in Bridges to Healing, shared:
“Attending the Bridges to Healing support group changed my family’s life. I honestly don’t know where we would be without KIDS Center.”
Most recently, KIDS Center has become a member of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Task Force in Central Oregon. This task force addresses the growing problem of minor sex trafficking. KIDS Center’s primary role is to perform the forensic interview in a child/teen-friendly environment and provide vital support to the victim.
KIDS Center thanks Bend for the many ways this community has helped them provide vital prevention, evaluation, and treatment services for vulnerable children and families throughout Central Oregon.
To learn more about how you can help, visit kidscenter.org.
