Earlier last year Susie’s Place received $10,000 from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. The Foundation’s work has a 130-year history improving the arts, humanities, safety, and culture of Vigo County.
Susie’s Place received this grant at a crucial time in our 10-year history. Their support came just as our Terre Haute center was under construction. It opened last summer and in 6 months of operation saw 241 children — about double what we expected.
Susie’s Place used the Foundation’s $10,000 gift in two long-lasting ways:
About $5,000 was spent making Susie’s Place what it’s supposed to be: child-friendly. This includes furniture for families and staff, forensic interview furnishings, tables and chairs for our multidisciplinary team members, and toys for the waiting room. (More furniture was donated by people across the region and we’re thankful for those donations, too.)
The other $5,000 was used for the high definition recording system used by child advocacy centers. The equipment discreetly records audio and video of our child forensic interviews. It also produces DVDs that are later used by law enforcement and prosecutors in pursuit of justice.
A lot goes into making Susie’s Place a safe, neutral, child-friendly place for families and kids in crisis. The Foundation’s $10,000 grant went directly to the heart of Susie’s Place by making it comfortable, safe, and secure. The equipment and furnishings will most likely still be in use years from now.
Our sincere thanks to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation for their support.
If you’d like to contribute to Susie’s Place, you can donate online now. Monthly recurring donations are most helpful.