JEWISH WOMEN’S FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO CARE HOUSE OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 24, 2009 -- CARE House of Oakland County has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit. The money will be used to provide “Stewards of Children” training for approximately 200 adults from Jewish schools and organizations serving young women and girls in the area’s Jewish community. It also will help recruit and train volunteer facilitators to conduct the program.

This will be accomplished through a partnership currently in place with Jewish Family Service, which will work with CARE House to identify specific Jewish organizations that could benefit.

Stewards of Children was developed by the national Darkness To Light organization as an evidence-based sexual abuse prevention training program to educate adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, and motivate them to take action. CARE House’s existing Stewards of Children program will be expanded and altered to meet the needs of Jewish organizations, including any cultural adaptations to ensure appropriateness for the target population.

Explains Pat Rosen, executive director of CARE House, “The program brings the issue of child sexual abuse to the forefront, heightens awareness and provides useful tools for adults to identify signs and symptoms of such abuse. It encourages a proactive response and the establishment of protective systems. Child sexual abuse is something that many are uncomfortable discussing, yet its lifelong consequences, especially when not identified, can be significant and devastating. We are very grateful to the Jewish Women’s Foundation for stepping forward to support this community initiative.”

The interactive training program is conducted by a trained facilitator using a workbook, a video and discussion as the tools to present the program. It encourages a “call to action” for all participants to become involved and to develop a plan within their respective organizations and communities to address the complex issues related to child sexual abuse. The program provides opportunities for volunteers to become trained facilitators.

The Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit is a grant making and educational organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for Jewish women and girls. The Foundation empowers women as philanthropists, decision-makers and leaders. It currently is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

For more information on the Stewards of Children program, including attending or hosting a presentation, contact CARE House at 248-332-7173.

The mission of CARE House of Oakland County is to be an advocate for the safety of all children and a leading resource in the prevention of child abuse and the protection of children through education, intervention, treatment and research, in collaboration with the community. The programs are housed at 44675 S. Woodward, Pontiac. www.carehouse.org

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