North Star Advocacy Center receives $5K grant from state
Trending
PARKERSBURG -- The North Star Advocacy Center has received a $5,000 grant through the state of West Virginia, officials said Monday
The Legislative Economic Development Assistance Grant was presented to the agency for its #High5Drive to raise funds and awareness, according to North Star Executive Director Greg Collins. The check was presented Monday morning to the agency by Del. Scot Heckert, R-Wood.
"We have a fierce supporter in Charleston in Delegate Heckert," Collins said. "We have really simple conversations. 'What do you need and how else can I help?' The amazing part of it is that he contacts me when he has a new avenue that will or may help us."
The West Virginia Child Advocacy Network on April 1 kicked off the second year of the #High5Drive to benefit 21 child advocacy centers in the state. The High5Drive asked individuals and businesses to give a High 5 and donate $5 for each child served at a West Virginia child advocacy center in 2023.
Child Advocacy Centers in fiscal 2023 provided services to 4,879 kids following allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect, Collins said. North Star conducted 604 forensic interviews in 2023, the highest amount in the state, Collins said.
Locally, North Star again partnered once with Williamstown Bank and its offices in Williamstown, Lubeck, East Seventh Street and in South Parkersburg where hands representing children served at North Star are on display. People can visit any of these offices until the end of business today to get their #High5Drive handprint and share a message of encouragement for these kids, write their name or the name of a loved one.
"I'm always looking for ways to support this center," Heckert said. "Whether it's in Charleston advocating for laws to be passed that will make their job easier and more efficient, or if it's finding financial support for them so they can have money in their budget to do the important work they are doing. As a father and a grandfather, it's a pretty easy decision to go to battle for these folks
Donations can still be made through the campaign website at https://give.wvcan.org/team/569276 until midnight today. All money raised locally will go to support North Star that serves Wood, Wirt, Ritchie, Pleasants and Calhoun counties.
For more information, call North Star at 304-917-4437, email nscac@northstarcac.org or follow it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To make an estate gift, contact the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.