Virginia’s House celebrates 30 years of service to children

For 30 years, Virginia’s House has served as a nonprofit agency in Young County and dedicated itself to the needs of children and families of domestic and sexual abuse. The organization assists local law enforcement to see that these victims go through as little mental anguish as possible during the prosecution of their abusers and provides support to help with the healing process. The organization celebrated its 30th anniversary Thursday evening at the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center.

Former reporter of The Graham Leader Cathy Crabtree served as the first executive director when the organization was founded June 24, 1992, called the Young County Family Resource and Child Advocacy Center. Thirty years later Virginia’s House and its satellite office in Stephens County, Dr. Goodall’s House, through its Child Advocacy Center, Court-Appointed Special Advocate, Crime Victims Support and Youth Mentor Programs continue to provide a positive course of direction in children’s lives.

John Neal, former District Attorney, served and aided Virginia’s House in receiving grant funding. Virginia’s House receives a federal grant from the Victim of Crime Act and receives approximately 43% of its funding from private donations and fundraisers. Run for the Children, the Presidents Charity Ball and Virginia’s House Annual Appeal are some of the fundraisers that take place to help the organization. Virginia’s House also receives grant money from Texas Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), National CASA, National Children’s Alliance and The United Way.

The idea for Virginia’s House started from a case involving a 17-month-old toddler named Chase Bray. In December 1987, Bray was taken to the emergency room.

“He was beaten severely and died,” Crabtree said in a previous interview with The Graham Leader. “The case was the start of a lot of the dialogue that led to changes in the community.”

Crabtree said that although the local law enforcement agencies and Child Protective Services had done their jobs, none of the agencies were working together. Neal had the idea of a child advocacy center in Graham after hearing of similar programs in other areas.

“This community has just got heart and soul,” Neal said. “They put their actions where their mouth is and just make things happen. Although we (Neal and Crabtree) started this together, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, this wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be here. This support from the community that she went out and got. She did all the things that I couldn’t do, I just knew that I didn’t have the capability to do that and so I’m thankful every day for this center and I think about the kids.”

For the full story, see the Wednesday, June 29 edition of The Graham Leader.