The darkest hours of a person’s life makes it hard to see the sunlight. In the cases of domestic violence, even more so.
Fortunately, help exists in the Christian County Family Crisis Center, a not-for-profit corporation that provides shelter and case management services to battered women and children. It opened in 1996 and, over the past 11 years, the organization has protected the lives of more than 475 women and 525 children through the shelter and outreach services.
Thus, the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper is proud to partner with the center. The tournament, part of the PGA Tour’s annual Web.com Tour stop in Springfield, has generated almost $12 million for children’s charities in its 25-year history. That figure includes a record $1 million-plus last year alone.
To support the Christian County Family Crisis Center, you can do so through golf. Here’s how:
SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES
- HELP THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY FAMILY CRISIS CENTER: To assist the non-profit in any way, call 417-582-0344.
- FOR GOLF FANS, WIN PRIZES: The purchase of a $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes ticket serves as a four-day tournament pass, but that’s just a start. You’re also entered to win daily prizes during the tournament as well as grand prizes of $10,000 and a 2015 Ford Mustang.
- TICKET REVENUE GOES WHERE: Contact the local charity of your choice such as the Christian County Family Crisis Center, simply because they receive revenue directly from those TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes tickets marked with their names.
- BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams. Additionally, restaurants, clothing stores and entertainment stops and such are asked to donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball Charity Auction.
- WHEN, WHERE: The tournament is Aug. 7-17 at Highland Springs Country Club, with the pros playing beginning Aug. 13. Contact the PCCC staff at 417-887-3400.
About the Christian County Family Crisis Center
The mission of the center says it all: “to provide shelter and advocacy for survivors and their children experiencing domestic violence and to provide education to break the cycle of abuse.”
In 1996, a group of concerned citizens came together to discuss a growing community epidemic—domestic violence. From this town hall meeting, the Christian County Family Crisis Task Force was developed. The Christian County Family Crisis Center covers the counties of: Barry, Christian, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster.
Over the past 19 years, the grassroots all-volunteer organization has grown into a vibrant agency governed by a board of directors with staff and volunteers to assist with service delivery.
In the late 1990’s, the Task Force began accepting crisis intervention phone calls providing referral services, victim advocacy, and support. The organization also initiated a community education/awareness campaign.
In 2003, the organization accepted the donation of a facility to provide shelter. The shelter is a former motel and each of the 17 units provides private living quarters with restroom/bathing facilities. Each unit has a minimum of four person capacity. The shelter has office space which consists of two rooms.
The staff operates out of one room and meets privately with clients in the second room. The facility has a commercial kitchen where meals are prepared by the clients. The kitchen was built with a grant from the Mary Kay Foundation.
The facility also has a classroom where volunteers teach financial management, parenting skills, etc. Finally, the facility offers a community room where clients can socialize, a playground, serenity garden and BBQ area.
About eight years ago, the organization opened Neat Repeats Thrift Store in Ozark to help fund the shelter operation. The thrift store is operated by a manager and volunteers.
During 2008, the organization expanded its case management services by hiring its first part-time shelter advocate. In 2010 the shelter advocate became a full-time position.
Today the shelter has three full-time and two part-time staff managing services to victims.
Contributions to the organization helps provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, and everyday necessities. It also helps fund the staff providing crisis intervention and case management services to all victims and covers the crisis line 24/7. Volunteers assist with support groups, transportation, social activities, facility maintenance and office duties.