EVERETT, Wash. - At a time when additional state and federal funding is hard to come by, Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center in Everett is moving to a much larger, permanent home thanks to millions of new dollars in grants and appropriations.
The center provides services to hundreds of children who were abused sexually or physically. It coordinates investigators, medical professionals, prosecutors and counselors in helping a child heal from the trauma of abuse.
"We've always had to run these families all around town to get all the help they need", says Executive Director Mary Wahl. "Now we will have all the services under one roof."
The small operation in downtown Everett will be moved around the corner to a 2-story space on California Street. Rather than renting, the non-profit will own its own space for the first time.
Organizers were able to secure around $2 million in funding from the state and federal governments to construct the new operation. It's the only organization to receive a federal appropriation in 2010.
"No one will have to be put on a waiting list anymore", says Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe. "In the past a lot of families didn't want to go through the hassle. We want to provide services for everyone."
Roe says he is not seeing an increase in the number of sexual abuse cases, although he says the number of cases that cross his desk are always alarming.
Dawson's Place will be hosting a ribbon cutting on July 28, but services will actually re-open on July 6 at the new location.
Anyone needing services can call the crisis line at 425-252-4800.
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