By creating Heart to Heart, children who had been abused could come to a center that was built child friendly and with resources available for the child and the child's family. Heart to Heart relies on a multidisciplinary response to child abuse. Instead of numerous interviews by various agencies, those agencies joined in a team effort so the child would be interviewed by only one person. It is the goal of Heart to Heart to provide the necessary services, resources and compassion for children and the families who come to the center reporting abuse.
Since opening the doors at Heart to Heart in August 2001, over 700 children have come to the Center making reports of abuse. Many of those cases have resulted in arrests, warrants and convictions.
Please sign our guest book and become a friend to Heart to Heart
"When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space."
Pema Chodron
"We cannot hold a torch to light anothers path without brightening our own"
Ben Sweetland
It was a hot saturday in Newton, a great time to eat a cold snow cone. Heart to Heart snow cone fund raiser went into full action. The Ryans from "Those blasted signs" allowed Heart to Heart to set up next to their shop, use their electricity and made signs for us. The Ryans are great folks and supporters of Heart to Heart. Before heading out to college, some of our favorite friends of Heart to Heart came out one more time to help with another fund raiser. We will be looking for new High School students to fill the shoes of those leaving us. We have enjoyed all of you and truly appreciated all the help you have provided for Heart to Heart.
To Report Child abuse and Neglect in Kansas call:
800-922-5330
Parenting Questions?
Call the Kansas Children's Service League Parent Helpline
800-332-6278
2008 Heart to Heart Awards
Awards were given out to those who made a difference for the Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center in 2008. The awards were presented at the "Just Desserts" and was well attended. Those awarded were:
Judge Ted Ice
Sherry Nuehring
Dan Suderman
Captain Mike Terry
Our heart felt thanks for all you have done for the Center and for your compassion you have for the Children of our community
501 C 3 Non Profit Organization
201 E 6th
Newton, Kansas 67114
316-284-6029
Member of the National Children's Alliance
Director: Marlene Beeson
Family Advocate: Kay Perkins
Book keeper/Fund raiser: Karen Walton
McPherson Family Advocate: Suzee Shugart
Founder: Sheriff T. Walton
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Gloria Arellano
Vice President: Judge Ted Ice
Treasurer: Steve Owens
Secretary: Amber Simmons
Board Member: Barry Powell
Board Member: Darrel Conrade
Board Member: James Daily, Newton Police Chief
Board Member: Miguel Valdez
Board Member: Sheriff T. Walton
McPherson County Board member: Attorney David Page
Marion County Board member: (to be announced)
CAC Task force meeting
June 16, 12:00 noon at City Hall
Annual miniature golf tourney coming up. Keep watching and get your team ready.
There were plenty of desserts and lots of good conversation on "Just Desserts" night. If you missed this one, then make sure you don't miss the next one.
Read about the award winners under "fun stuff"
Valentine Dance
February 7, 2009
8:00 PM to Midnight American Legion
Larry Thompson And the Big Buckle Band
It was a great time on Saturday Night. Larry's band played on as the dancers glided across the dance floor with ease. There were lots of smiles, laughs and good times shared. Our heartfelt thanks to Larry Thompson and his band, the great decoration teams of Kay Perkins, The Beeson families, and the Walton families. Karen and Faye did a great job finding auction items and drawing prizes. Mike Flavin entertained the crowd with his auctioning skills, comedy and singing talents. Thanks go out to our friends at the American Legion for all they have done for Heart to Heart. Thanks to everyone who came and attended, we hope to see you all again for next years valentine dance.
Art Therapy
Director Marlene Beeson has contracted Heart to Heart and Prairie View into a new exciting program called "Art Therapy". Therapist Tamera Herl uses art to help child victims work through delicate issues of abuse. The sessions take place at Heart to Heart in the newly remodeled facilities. Heart to Heart is seen as a very safe place by the children who have come to the Center. They are able to draw, create, and express themselves in a warm and friendly environment. We have heard very positive revues of the sessions, by the children being served. We hope to expand this service in the future to more children who have come to Heart to Heart. The sessions are very expensive so right now we are limited to the amount of children who we can serve. As more funding becomes available more children will be eligible for this great program.
SUPPORT SESSIONS
For some of the children and families that come to Heart to Heart, they need support to get through the issues of what they have been faced with. Marlene has developed a support program call "Circle of Friends". This program also takes place at the Center. Child victims need to know they are not alone and that there is a support system for them. Not only do the children, who have become victims of abuse, need outside support, but their families as well may need support also. If you feel you could benefit from the "Circle of Friends", please contact Marlene at Heart to Heart. You can call, 284-6029 or you can stop by the Center and speak with Marlene.
Judy Coder and her band visited the Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center on April 12th.
We were glad to show them the center and tell them about the vital work that goes on at Heart to Heart.
316-284-6029