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 600 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
Newton City Manager, Jim Heinicke, has been a supporter of Heart to Heart right from the beginning. It was through Jim that Heart to Heart had a place to call home. Jim has watched the growth of Heart to Heart over the years and has been a great friend to the Center. Jim will be retiring this December and moving on to new challenges. We wish him well, but keep our door always open to him. Jim has made a difference in the community and has been a major force in the solid support he has provided Heart to Heart. Thank you Jim from everyone at Heart to Heart.2007 Heart to Heart Awards
Awards were given out to those who made a difference for the Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center in 2007. The awards were presented at the "Just Desserts" and was well attended. Those awarded were:
The Mitchell Family, Owners of the Chisholm Trail retail center and mall
The American Legion
The VFW
Tricia Wells of the Sports Grill
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: Lt. 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: Lt. T. Walton
McPherson County Board member: Attorney David Page
We are looking to fill board postions representing: 2 Marion County members, 2 McPherson County members
August 25, 2008, Task Force Meeting, 12:00 noon at City Hall Conference room
November 15, 2008 Heart to Heart Melodrama, 6:30 pm Historic Fox Theater.
Heart to Heart Remodel
The remodel is done! Everything looks great, new carpet, new room, new furnishings. Stop by and see us.
We want to thank all the people who helped make the remodel possible:
City of Newton
Furniture Warehouse
Heritage Furnishings
Grabers Hardware
Kay Perkins
Heart to Heart Vending
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