Carmi Rotary Club meeting
The Carmi Rotary club met on Thursday and learned about the Guardian Center from Forensic Interviewer, Ashley Turner.
Ashley told the group that she had been on board with the Center for about a year, and that her job as Forensic Interviewer involves speaking with children who may be victims of abuse or neglect. She explained that while some police and DCFS are also trained and qualified in this area, she is able to act as a third party apart from those other two professions.
Ashley told the club that the Guardian Center began in Carmi twenty years ago, and now has a main office here, with branch offices in Robinson, Harrisburg, and Mt. Carmel. In 2018, these four offices worked with 193 children, 162 of those were victims of sexual abuse, 15 had been physically abused, and 15 were witnesses to other crimes.
Some of the services offered by the Guardian Center include: providing referrals and counseling and other services. Transportation to doctor’s appointments, legal hearings, and other events. Keeping families updated on the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. And, preparing the child for court proceedings.
Ashely told the Rotarians that the Guardian Center is funded through grants from the state of Illinois, but that those grants do not cover nearly all of the expenses. For that reason, the Center also relies heavily on donations and fundraising to provide all of the services they need to offer to the children in our area.
Among the many fundraisers on the calendar: A Guns and Hoses competition in Mt. Carmel this March. This event is being put on by the police and fire departments in Mt. Carmel, but they have designated the Guardian Center as the recipient of that event.
First up in Carmi, on April 12th the Center will be holding their annual Spring Fundraising Banquet. This year’s event will be held at the VFW in Carmi, and will feature dinner, a live and silent auction, and a comedy show by comedian Mike Bliss. Tickets for this fun night are thirty dollars each. There is also an opportunity for groups, companies, etc to become sponsors of the night. A gold level sponsorship is $500, and includes your logo and name featured at the event, website recognition, and a table for eight at the dinner. A sliver level sponsorship can be obtained for $350 and includes your name featured at the event, website recognition, and a table for eight.
Later on this year, the Center will be hosting a motorcycle ride through Gallatin and White County, a golf outing, a 5K run in Galatia, and of course the 5K at Corn Day in October.
In club business, everything has been finalized for the first ever “Get to know Rotary” dinner, which will be held on Tuesday, February 19th at the Elks Club in Carmi. This is an invitation-only dinner, but anyone who would like to attend and who might be interested in becoming a member of the Carmi Rotary club is encouraged to speak to any local member for details.
Also on the horizon, the Spring Trivia contest which will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the American Legion in Carmi. More details on this big event will be coming out soon, but everyone is asked to save the date.
Ashley Turner won the 50/50 drawing but did not claim the cash prize for the day. Kent Armstrong was named as the day’s Phantom.
The Carmi Rotary club meets every Thursday at noon at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Carmi. Anyone wishing to learn more about this civic organization is welcome to attend a meeting or speak with any Carmi Rotarian.
