The Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health Inc, (HVFY), a Kingston- based philanthropic organization dedicated to children in the Hudson Valley, has awarded the Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center (CAC) a $500 grant. The grant will be used to purchase window treatments that will provide complete privacy for the center's examination rooms.
"The mission of the Child Advocacy Center is to reduce trauma, provide expert medical care, and enhance collaboration among organizations in the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse."
"HVFY is an independent, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping develop, maintain, and expand prevention services for youth in the Hudson Valley. They serve youth in Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Delaware, and Northern Dutchess counties by awarding grants to programs that address, among others, family support, child care/ parenting, domestic violence, sexual abuse, alcohol and substance abuse."
Since 1994 they have awarded $1.5 million to diverse community organizations, according to program representative Deborah Tobiassen, who attended the grant presentation.
"This grant is much appreciated", said Denise Saunders, Coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center. "It will provide additional privacy for the children in our program. Privacy is paramount in our mission."
Hospital Director of Community Services and Grants, Mary Daggett, who helped secure the grant monies, echoed Saunders's comments. Members of the CAC will give a presentation next year to the HVFY Board of Directors on the use of the grant and on the expanded role of the Child Advocacy Center.
After a tour of the CAC, Tobiassen said that she was "overwhelmed with the quality of the facility, its warmth and inviting atmosphere and its important goal in protecting children."
Photo: Denise Saunders, left, Coordinator of the Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center in Hudson, Mary Daggett, Director of Community Health Services and Grants for Columbia Memorial Hospital, and Deborah Tobiassen of Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health.
