The Family Crisis Center is observing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in a big way, and is urging community participation.
This Thursday, Oct. 16, is “Purple Thursday.” People are encouraged to wear purple to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. No matter how you choose to wear it, post a photo and tag the Family Crisis Center on Facebook.
Hygiene Drive
The Family Crisis Center is accepting items for a hygiene drive from Oct. 16-31. Items can be delivered to the FCC office at 1924 Broadway Ave. in Great Bend. Or, your business or organization is welcome to collect items and arrange to have them picked up.
Items needed include shaving cream, body wash, shampoo and conditioner for men, women and children, as well as laundry detergent and paper towels.
Family Fall Festival
The FCC’s Family Fall Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jack Kilby Square. Here is the latest schedule for performances and special activities:
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - DJ Polo Cee
• 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - Learn A Cheer w/Barton Cheerleaders
• 1 p.m. - Acoustic performance by Jaydence Jean
• 1:30 p.m. - Barton & GBHS Dance performance
• 1:45- Domestic Violence Survivors’ Empower Walk
• 2:30 - Britt Spaugh Zoo presentation
Kylee Graves, executive director at the Family Crisis Center, said there are several services offered. The FCC office at 1924 Broadway Ave. also houses the Domestic and Sexual Violence Center. There is also an office in Pratt that has two full-time advocates. There is a shelter, at an undisclosed address in Great Bend, that provides a safe place if someone needs a place to go. Finally, the Child Advocacy Center is a program serving children 3-18 years old. This requires a referral from the Department of Children and Families or from law enforcement.
There are two forensic interviewers for the Child Advocacy Center. Their recorded interviews become the property of the investigating agencies, Graves said. “The reason for that is we don’t want children to have to tell their stories over and over. If you’re a 5-year-old and you’ve been sexually assaulted, you don’t want to have to relive that. So we have them come here, tell their story one time, and then that follows through the court system so that they don’t have to go testify.”
The Domestic and Sexual Violence Center is NOT referral based – it is walk-in only, Graves said.
“They have to come to us and want our services.” They can help individuals who have been through domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking.
Graves said one in eight children lives in a home with domestic violence.
“The numbers continue to rise, the funding (for programs) continues to get cut. It’s a continuing concern.”
Donations can be made on the Family Crisis Center website, familycrisiskansas.com, which now accepts Venmo. There is an endowed fund with the Golden Belt Community Foundation (goldenbeltcf.org). Immediate gifts can be mailed to Family Crisis Center Inc., 1924 Broadway Ave., Great Bend, KS 6730. Tax receipts will be provided for any donations of $250 or more.
Help is also available at the website and there is a crisis line available 24/7. Call or text 866-792-1885. (In Great Bend, call or text 620-792-1885.)
