Patty Kleban: Centre County Sex Abuse Prevention Centers Can’t Be Overlooked

After the initial shock of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal rocked our community and our campus, we rallied.

More than 10,000 people attended the candlelight vigil for the victims. We had a Blue Out at the football game in honor of the innocent faces at the heart of this and other sexual abuse crimes.  A new Penn State Center for Child Protection is in the works at Hershey Medical Center.  A portion of the proceeds from PSU football bowl relationships are being targeted for the cause. 

Penn Staters have come together in a variety of ways to raise money for national organizations that support hotlines, survivor support programs and other initiatives that help those who suffer from sexual abuse.

Let’s take it one step further. Let’s turn our attention back to Centre County.

The alleged victims in the Sandusky scandal were hurt here in our local area. They attended local schools and have families that live and work in our communities. They are “our” children. 

We don’t need to look very far beyond University Park to find those in need. 

The staff and volunteers of local service agencies know that it happens right here in Happy Valley. They help children in our community every day who are just like those in this tragedy — hurt by someone that they thought they could trust.  

From the staggering amount of money that has been and continues to be donated by the Penn State community to stop child abuse, a little from a lot could make a difference for local kids and local programs.  

National organizations can have incredible impact. Local organizations also make a difference.

The Youth Service Bureau of Centre County is one of those agencies.  Founded in 1967 with the support of Judge Robert R. Campbell, the Youth Service Bureau (also called the YSB) meets the needs of children in the State College, Bellefonte, Bald Eagle, Philipsburg and Penns Valley school districts.  They offer 14 different programs to serve the needs of local kids, including temporary housing for runaways and kids who are homeless — many of whom may be running from dangerous and abusive home situations.

The YSB sponsors a hotline that kids can call and talk to someone for help. There are family and child/teen counseling programs, parent trainings, Big Brothers and Big Sister programs as well as reunification programs for disconnected families and children related to abuse, neglect or the ripple effect of delinquency.  The YSB works closely with the school districts in our communities to identify kids in need of extra support and then are there to provide it.  

Near and dear to my heart are the neighborhood recreation, education and advocacy programs that the YSB offer at its drop-in centers and in its “Streetworks” program. Students in our classes at Penn State have provided special events at those centers as well as completed internships and, later, accepted jobs with the recreation and challenge programs offered by the YSB.  The staff at the YSB work to develop trust and relationships with kids who hopefully can then reach out for help or tell an adult. Donations to the YSB stay right here in Centre County and help Centre County kids. 

The Centre County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC) is another agency that works with survivors of sexual abuse — often as the first to offer a helping hand to those dealing with stranger assault, date rape, incest and other forms of sexual abuse.  By offering programs such as an emergency shelter, counseling, children’s programs, support groups, education and training programs for other professionals in the community, and advocacy for a safe environment for all, the CCWRC helps those in our region who are living in danger.

One of the most important services provided by the CCWRC is the 24-hour emergency hotline for victims to call for help.  A donation of either money or other needed items (i.e. household items to help a mother and her children start new) to the CCWRC supports local efforts to address domestic violence and/or sexual abuse.

Last, it’s hard for children who are scared, living with abuse, separated from family or otherwise “in the system.”  Children living in foster or shelter care are provided basics; clothing, shelter and medical care are covered by government funds but not the extras.  Centre County Children and Youth Services has created the Ethel Beaver Fund to accept donations for funds to pay for things such as Christmas presents, youth sports team registration, music lessons, summer camps and other non-necessities to improve their quality of life. The money donated to the Ethel Beaver Fund stays in Centre County. 

The great thing about supporting local agencies is that your donation to one agency may help the clients at another.  For example, children living in the shelters and group homes sponsored by the YSB may be eligible for funds from the Ethel Beaver Fund.  

The silver lining in this horrible cloud that has settled over Centre County is a greater awareness and identification of need for support for children experiencing the shame, confusion, guilt and fear of sexual abuse. Our inclination as we read about the young men and their families who have come forward to allege horrific abuse in the Sandusky scandal is to want to do something. We want to help. We want to make sure it never happens again.

As a community, we can do something by supporting the agencies that are available to help the children who reside in Centre County. We need to “go local” in our efforts. Raising awareness, supporting prevention and treatment initiatives and donating our treasure to the kids who live right here can be where healing begins. 

Consider making your donation to the local organizations that provide prevention and treatment of sexual abuse right here in Happy Valley. Charity, as they say, begins at home.