Center relies on United Fund to help children

Published 1:37 am Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center is one of the 19 agencies who have applied for United Fund help from the 2013 fundraising drive. The goal set for this year is to raise $80,000 which will be distributed among the 19 agencies. More than 99 cents of every dollar given of funds raised will go directly to those organization in the community who provide services to individuals and families who live in Brewton and East Brewton. Even though the Child Advocacy Center fulfills a vital need, it depends on funds from individuals and some Alabama Department of Economic Community Affairs (ADECA) funds to function.

The Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy provides resources and services to child victims of abuse, their families and the community.

“We provide needed services for the victims of abuse,” said Stephanie Myrick, director of the center. “We try to focus and place the emphasis on abuse awareness.” The purpose of the organization is to be able to offer services that might prevent it from happening or to protect against child abuse.

Myrick said they reach out to children in schools and offer programs that make the children aware as to what is appropriate and what is not.

“All of this takes funding and there is never enough,” Myrick said. “Our part of the United Fund will allow us to offer more programs to help keep the children safe.”

The center, located at 400 Evergreen Avenue in Brewton and they accept donations. They can be reached at 251-809-2906. Along with the Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy the other organizations are Brewton Area YMCA; American Red Cross, East Escambia County Chapter; Girl Scouts, Deep South Council; Brewton Public Library; Brewton Parks and Recreation Department; Escambia County Mental Health Association; Boy Scouts, Gulf Coast Council; East Brewton Youth Sports; Southwest Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board; Escambia County Cooperative Library System; Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Disabled Children and Adults, Brewton Chapter; Hope Place Family Resource; Christian Community Benevolent Fund; Reach Out and Read; S.T.A.R.S.; Wheels of Wellness; and Escambia County Community Enabled, Inc.

To make a contribution to United Fund, check with your employer or mail checks or money orders to United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton, P.O. Box 34, Brewton, AL 36427.