The Parenting Center in Fort Worth

The Parenting Center in Fort Worth, Texas, was established to stand against growing rates of child abuse and neglect. The agency enjoys an excellent reputation in the region for its programs in education, counseling, and mentorship of young mothers.

Programs to prevent child abuse and neglect have a rough ride. When they shine a light and increase public awareness, the number of reported cases increases. This leads some supporters to think the programs aren’t doing any good. The sad truth is that the rate of child abuse and neglect is higher than the number of reported cases. Child abuse and neglect will never be eliminated. But awareness and prevention programs will help bring the problem out in the open so child victims are identified and protected. And these programs will help parents learn how to meet their children’s needs and give them skills and techniques to use when they get frustrated.

State funding of prevention programs is decreasing. Funding agencies are decreasing their focus on child abuse and neglect because they can never be solved “once and for all” so they aren’t very glamorous for fundraising. Private foundations hit by the economic downturn have drastically cut their contributions to social service agencies.

It’s a great time for The Parenting Center in terms of the programs and services they are offering the community. But it’s a hard time economically. The agency is relying more than ever before on individual contributions to fund its programs.

I have been a supporter of The Parenting Center since 2007. I joined a committee that year and began donating to the organization. I joined the board of directors in 2009, increasing my involvement. I get to see in detail the good work done by the counselors and educators and case managers at The Parenting Center. I am happy to support their work.

Are you moved to take a stand to prevent child abuse and neglect? Do you want to help provide services for children healing from trauma? I encourage you to donate to The Parenting Center or to a similar program in your area.