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facebook.com
Star News TV
The community celebrated a significant milestone for children in Surry County as local officials joined Children's Center of Northwest North Carolina staff and board members at a ribbon-cutting for The Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center on Oct. 23 in Dobson.
Today represents hope, healing and a commitment to the children and families in our community who have experienced abuse and trauma, said center executive director Robin Beeson, who explained the symbolism of the name: a willow tree offers shelter with its canopy that drapes to the ground, and it is flexible and resilient, like the children the center serves.
The agency's effort to start a child advocacy center has been ongoing for more than a year. Law enforcement agencies work with the Willow Tree to conduct forensic interviews, and a family advocate coordinates services such as counseling for the child and any non-offending caregivers. The center has been operating since June and had served 53 children and families as of the ribbon cutting, and its multi-disciplinary team has 119 members from local schools, law enforcement agencies, social services and service providers who gather monthly. Mike Fenley, from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis' office, spoke at the event and shared a letter from the senator congratulating the Children's Center.
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