Collaborative News

Coordinator Opens Child Advocacy Center

After 10 years of hard work, Tara Jennings, coordinator of Bryan County Family Connection, has helped create a place in her county where abused children can now feel safe. Jennings has brought local partners together to open Helen's Haven, an Atlantic Judicial Circuit Children's Advocacy Center in Hinesville.

"Helen's Haven is a place where abused children can be interviewed in a less stressful, more relaxed environment," Jennings said. "The purpose of Helen's Haven is to reduce the trauma for kids by providing a safe, non-threatening, child-friendly environment where they can be interviewed and evaluated and feel supported."

Jennings said during the decade of work to open the center, she was faced with many obstacles while trying to bring partners together for the project.

"It was a very long process, which took years of persistence and keeping my word," she said. "I eventually got help from the Fraser Family Foundation, which offered the building and helped secure a grant for the center."

Helen's Haven, which opened in May, services Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Tattnall counties. Jennings has hired a part-time coordinator to staff the center. Helen's Haven was named after Helen E. Stanford, a local child advocate and community leader for more than 50 years.

Other Featured Articles:
New Web Tool Helps Collaboratives Develop Own Web Sites
Register, Reserve Hotel Now for Family Connection Conference
Region 7 Receives Federal Grant
Commissioners Name Collaborative Official County Planning Body