In every community, there are organizations working quietly behind the scenes to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. In Wilkes County, one of those organizations is the Safe Spot Child Advocacy Center of Wilkes, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse or severe physical abuse and helping families navigate the path toward healing.

Recently Safe Spot was awarded a grant from the Wilkes Community Foundation. According to Cindy Hartley, Executive Director of the Safe Spot Child Advocacy Center of Wilkes (pictured above giving a tour of the center), receiving a grant from the foundation has provided valuable flexibility that allows the organization to better serve children and families impacted by abuse.

“Receiving this unrestricted grant allows Safe Spot the flexibility to meet the needs of the program where we determine they are greatest,” Hartley said. “Leaving the funding unrestricted shows that the Wilkes Community Foundation has trust in Safe Spot to make the administrative decision on where the funds will be most impactful.”

Safe Spot works closely with law enforcement and the Department of Social Services to assist in the investigation of child abuse reports throughout Wilkes County. Because the organization’s work is centered on providing specialized services and support rather than tangible products, unrestricted funding plays a critical role in sustaining operations and responding to evolving community needs.

Hartley noted that additional funding opportunities would help the organization continue expanding its capacity to serve both children and investigative partners. “Additional funding would allow Safe Spot to continue growing our program to meet the demands of both the community and our investigative partners,” she said.

She emphasized that the organization’s greatest resource is its team of dedicated professionals. “Our people are our program, so we don’t have a deliverable. Funding, particularly unrestricted funding, allows us the flexibility to pay for salaries, benefits, and programmatic costs which are essential for delivering the services that serve both our investigative partners and children who are victims.”

Through the support of the Wilkes Community Foundation, Safe Spot can strengthen its mission of providing a safe, child-focused environment where young victims can find support, healing, and hope while navigating the investigative process.