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When a home becomes unsafe, one local organization believes the children of our community deserve a welcoming haven. That organization has a new executive director leading the way. KSMU’s Chasity Mayes reports.
Isabel’s House is a local crisis shelter focused on protecting children from abuse and neglect. The shelter, which accepts children from birth through the age of 12, provides free childcare to parents going through stressful situations like the loss of a home, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or emergency hospital stays.
Francine Pratt is the new executive director of the shelter. She says her goal is to have the shelter at capacity.
“That’s one of my goals, and in my opinion when I look at and hear about the abuse and neglect rate in the area we should be full every day, seven days a week. And that’s why I really want to work on getting to the self referrals because I’m sure some people would be intimidated or they would think that they’re a bad person if they used our services and so I think it’s really important to get the word out to let them know that this is a support system,” says Pratt.
Currently, Greene County has the highest child abuse and neglect rate in Missouri. Isabel’s house is hoping to bring that statistic down by providing an educational environment that parents feel good about. In order to keep things as normal as possible for the children, the shelter allows school-aged kids who currently attend a Springfield school to stay in their normal routine. Isabel’s House is a non-profit organization that requires no proof of income. Children can stay there for a period of time anywhere between 24 hours to 30 days in a given year.
Pratt also included that parents have the ability to speak with or see their children on a regular basis during their stay. As long as the child hasn’t been abused, the state doesn’t get involved.
Community members can help strengthen Isabel’s House by volunteering.
For more information you can call 865-CARE.
For KSMU News, I’m Chasity Mayes.
