Children’s Listening Place holds Holiday Open House
The Children’s Listening Place Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg held its second annual Holiday Open House on Friday, seeing visitors from the local community and around the state. (Photo Provided)
From left are Greg Collins, Executive Director, and Julie Nutter, Assistant Director, with the Children’s Listening Place Child Advocacy Center with Delegate Moore Capito. (Photo Provided)
The Children’s Listening Place Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg held its second annual Holiday Open House on Friday, seeing visitors from the local community and around the state. (Photo Provided)
From left are Greg Collins, Executive Director, and Julie Nutter, Assistant Director, with the Children’s Listening Place Child Advocacy Center with Delegate Moore Capito. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Children's Listening Place Child Advocacy Center (CLP) held its second annual Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, with dozens of people stopping in to see what the center is all about.
"It was an amazing showing of people from all over the state (Friday)," said Greg Collins, executive director of CLP. "I'm floored by the outpouring of support and genuine interest in what we do."
The morning was kicked off by a visit by Alexander Vaughn, the field representative for U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. Vaughn sat down with Collins and Olivia Hubbard with the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN) in Charleston, and they discussed how the senator could help the network.
"Senator Capito is a supporter of CACs (child advocacy centers) and has shown that in her votes and actions," said Collins. "We certainly passed along our appreciation for all she does for us to Mr. Vaughn."
Dozens of community members passed through the center taking tours Friday, including law enforcement, prosecutors, Child Protective Services, churches, and local businesses. Staff from two other CACs in West Virginia also made the trip to Parkersburg to visit, from Beckley and Harrison County.
"The intent of the open house was to get people into our center to see what it is all about, and we certainly have been able to do that," said Collins. "Once you visit us and take a tour, it will occur to you that over 600 children are seen here each year for physical abuse, sexual abuse, and severe neglect. You start seeing the facial expressions changing with many people tearing up."
The day ended with a visit from Delegate Moore Capito, who is also running for governor of West Virginia in 2024. Delegate Capito was given a tour of the center and spent time talking with Collins and other CLP staff members about the work that is being done on behalf of children.
"He spent substantial time asking questions and wanting to learn more about us," said Collins.
"The food from Convicted Pigs BBQ was a big hit again this year, I can't wait to this all over again next December," he said. "There was a lot gained (Friday) in the way of donations, promises for continued support and the general knowledge of child abuse that was taken home by the visitors," said Collins.