Be a Lifesaving Difference For Children!
Your Gift Keeps Children Safe, Healthy, and Happy!
We are no longer accepting donations on this campaign, but there are other ways for you to support us today!
Your Gift Keeps Children Safe, Healthy, and Happy!
Mary Ellen Wilson's Story and Dunebrook's Story!
Mary Ellen Wilson at 10 years old was rescued from the abusive adult who was charged with her care. At that time, animals had laws protecting them, but children did not. Etta Angell Wheeler, pictured in the bottom right, was the mission worker who rescued Mary Ellen and championed the establishment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in New York in 1874. Mary Ellen is pictured in the upper right after she was placed with a new family, where she was able to be happy and thrive. To learn more about Mary Ellen click here
Dunebrook Supporting Families For Over 33 Years - When Dunebrook’s founders created Dunebrook 33 years ago, child abuse prevention was still a novel idea. Like Mary Ellen’s mission worker, they were champions for the children who could not speak for themselves. We are now reaching more than 30,000 people every year.
Dunebrook’s mission is to keep every child safe, healthy and happy through our child abuse intervention and prevention programs:
Child Advocacy Center (CAC) - The CAC conducts forensic interviews of children who have reported abuse or have witnessed a crime. The purpose of the interview is to obtain information from a child about abuse allegations that will support accurate and fair decision making by the multidisciplinary team, which is comprised of professionals from law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medical, mental health, and the CAC. The CACs Family Advocate supports families to reduce trauma, give up to date information, and ongoing access to comprehensive service which is critical to a child and family's comfort and ability to participate in an ongoing investigation, possible prosecution, and intervention and treatment.
In 2021: 398 forensic interviews were conducted and the Family Advocate served 318 people
Healthy Families LaPorte Co. - Home visitation services for expectant parents and families with children to age 5 who reside in LaPorte Co. and are enrolled within 90 days of birth. Parenting and child development education, goal-setting, developmental screening and linkages to community resources are just a few of the many benefits of this nationally accredited program.
In 2021:
- 173 La Porte County families served through 2,543 home visits
- 79 safe sleep cribs distributed to families
- 90% of enrolled families are up-to-date with vaccinations
- 206 developmental screenings completed and of those, 34 children were referred for additional services due to potential delays.
Public Education - Serving LaPorte, Porter, and Starke Counties to educate and empower children to keep their bodies safe and teach adults how to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to suspicions of child sexual abuse. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will report abuse by their 18th birthday.
Dunebrook presents:
- Safer, Smarter Kids (Body Safety) for children in kindergarten through elementary school
- Safer, Smarter Teens for children in middle school and high school program
- Stewards of Children for educators, parents, and interested adults
- In 2021: 26,419 children and adults participated in Dunebrook's public education programs.
Parent & Family Education - Nurturing Parenting Classes are scientifically proven as effective, are evidence-based and recognized internationally. Classes are offered through the problem-solving courts and social service agencies, as well as for self-referred families.
Nurturing Parenting welcomes all parents wherever they are on their journey, and looks to build caring families, break generational cycles of unhealthy parenting practices, and bring families closer together.
Classes enhance skills in: Empathy Positive Discipline skills Self-worth Personal Empowerment
We do not do this work alone. Your generosity makes it possible.
Thank you for considering the financial gift you can make to support children and families.