Did you know experts estimate that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before the age of 18? Even worse, 60% of cases are never reported.
Texas nonprofit Alliance for Children has made it their mission to protect children from child abuse through teamed investigations, healing services and community education.
In fact, they’re the only nonprofit in the Dallas, Texas area that coordinates directly with law enforcement, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Cook Children’s Medical Center and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office. According to their website, over 50,000 children have benefited from their services since 1992.
This week a dedicated group of National Life volunteers teamed up with Alliance for Children to Do Good for one of their clients (we’ll refer to her as “K.”). Their task was to do a room makeover for K; she hadn’t slept in her bedroom since she was abused, since this is where the crime took place.
In advance of the makeover, the volunteers had to go through a two-hour training session as well as get a background check. Then the pre-work began. The team came up with an online “mood board” that team members could post ideas to using purple, green and sequins, favorites of K. Working with April Eastman from Alliance, they collected donated and new items and got to work, sewing, building, painting and more.
On Tuesday, the team met April at K’s house while K was at school. They removed everything from K’s bedroom and completely transformed the space from what was previously superhero themed to what is now a bright, inspirational bedroom, perfect for an eight year-old.
As they were working, Debbie Ekes noticed that the family’s bathroom was in need of some attention so she took it upon herself to run out and replace the shower curtain, towels, and more. She even scrubbed the bathtub.
Finally, it was time for the big reveal. K arrived home to the cheers of our Do Gooders waiting for her in the driveway. When she entered her renovated bedroom after her initial gasp, she told everyone, “This is so different!”
She excitedly discovered the bookshelf (built by Chris Newbern) filled with books (donated by Sharon Hunter). Then she found a guitar shaped jewelry holder (created by Deanna Johnson) filled with jewelry.
After high-fives all around, the team began to leave when K’s mother ran out to let them know K ran back into her bedroom by herself where she screamed with joy.
Maria McLendon organized the makeover with Alliance and shared, “I’m so overcome with the generosity of our teammates. Kristine was helping K’s mom fold laundry. Everyone approached this as if it was their own child’s room. I wish you could have seen all of the joy in that house.”
The team included Maria McLendon, Kristine Watkins, Deanna Johnson, Chris Newbern, Debbie Ekes, Teresa Thomas, Stephanie Myers, Dena Jackson, Susan Jennings, Sharon Butler, Maryann Ellis, Shelby Lobaugh, Hope Rico and Minh Pham.
Another team of National Life volunteers will join Alliance again to renovate two bedrooms of siblings in a few weeks.
To learn more about how you can help, visit the Alliance for Children website at https://www.allianceforchildren.org/ .
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