Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault gets grant
The Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault has received a $75,000 grant from the Mental Health Awareness Foundation established by Linda M. Summer. The funds will support the Durant Children’s Center and the Emergency Safe Shelter.
John Hanna, president of the Mental Health Awareness Foundation, said: “The foundation was established by Linda M. Summer, a longtime advocate for children in the Pee Dee and the first Center Director of the Pee Dee Mental Health Center.
“This grant to the Durant Children’s Center and the Pee Dee Coalition’s Emergency Safe house will further Linda’s commitment to serving children in need in our community. Although Linda died in 2005, her legacy continues through the work of the foundation, and our board of directors is grateful to be able to assist the coalition through both the Durant Center and the Shelter in their critical missions.”
The Pee Dee Coalition provides effective services to children and their primary caregiver through the Durant Children’s Center and the Emergency Safe Shelter. Durant Children’s Center’s Parent Education Parent Support (PEPS) is a 12-week parenting program to strengthen families by assisting parents in developing positive and caring relationship with their children.
Part of the funds have been designated for Durant Children’s Center parenting program with weekly groups in Marion and Florence counties.
Patrick Bresnan, executive director of Pee Dee Mental Health, said: “On behalf of Pee Dee Mental Health Center, it’s a privilege to partner with Ellen Hamilton and the staff of Pee Dee Coalition.
“Our community mental health center has a trauma-focused therapist, who is headquartered at the Durant Center. She is a member of this multidisciplinary team that provides hope, healing and justice for children.
“We look forward to continuing the collaborative working relationship with Pee Dee Coalition as it expands their treatment to serve even more children who have been victimized and are in need of mental health services.”
The children residing in the Emergency Safe Shelter have overheard or witnessed their mothers’ physical and emotional abuse and some may have been abused themselves.
The Emergency Safe Shelter aims to provide “as normal as possible” a living environment for each child where their needs are met in peace and safety.
The gift from the Mental Health Awareness Foundation will be used to provide direct services within the two Pee Dee Coalition programs.
To honor the legacy of Linda Summer, Pee Dee Coalition will name the therapist position within the Durant Children’s Center’s Hartsville Satellite Center The Linda M. Summer Children’s Therapist.
Summer’s impact on the lives of children will continue with the designation of the Linda M. Summer Children’s Trauma Counselor/Advocate in the Emergency Safe Shelter.