Child Advocacy Center mortgage paid off in less than a year

Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter
·2 min read

Just 346 days after Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence approved $494,000 to purchase the former Hope Health building for a county Child Advocacy Center, director Kim Hemker paid off the mortgage.

Hemker said through pledges, grants, and fundraisers, “The community came through for the much-needed facility” operating since Jan. 1 at 625 N. Michigan Ave. in Coldwater.

A model of the Branch County District Courtroom at the Child Advocacy Center used to explain court procedures to children expected to testify at preliminary hearings in child abuse cases.
A model of the Branch County District Courtroom at the Child Advocacy Center used to explain court procedures to children expected to testify at preliminary hearings in child abuse cases.

That did not stop efforts to keep fundraising for the programs for the local community-based, child-friendly service center for children and families affected by abuse, primarily sexual abuse. 

Wednesday, Clemens Food Group Coldwater plant team members presented a check for $12,400 to Hemker and CAC director Yolando Olzano.

Clemens plant manager Joe Hughes said the golf outing on Oct. 1 for Clemens employees at Bella Vista golf course will become an annual event to aid the center.

Hemker explained, “With the buildings paid off, this money is going to help with the operating of the child advocacy center, paying your electric bill, your insurance, your overhead that’s so important.”

Clemens general manager Joe Hughes, CAC director Yolando Olzano, BCCADV director Kim Hemker, Clemens employees Chris Parshall, Joe Barone, and Frankie Cabrera presented a check for $12,400 to the Child Advocacy Center of Branch County. The money is the proceeds from the first annual Clemens employee golf tournament on October 1 at Bella Vista Golf Course. Funds will go toward operational expenses.

Before having the Branch County CAC, all forensic child interviews were conducted in Marshall.

Not all local police agencies sent all children for the professional interviews needed in prosecutions.

Prosecutor Zack Stempien said, “Now, it is a requirement that all children be interviewed at the CAC if they are suspected victims of child abuse or sexual assault. This ensures that all victims are being interviewed in an appropriate manner and compliance with the law.”

Prior story Branch County Child Advocacy Center opens

The center is also used by St. Joseph County residents.

BCCADV uses the upstairs of the two-story building for service staff to ease overcrowding at the Shelter House across the street.

Not only does the CAC provide a location for the intensive interview, but the space provides a location to explain to child victims the court process and help them acclimate to the criminal justice system.

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Planning to develop a Child Advocacy Center for Branch County began two years ago. Hemker said the community worked together to create a plan, raise the funds, and complete the project at two-thirds of the original estimated cost.

The center’s entrance wall lists the many groups and individuals who contributed to the effort.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Child advocacy Center mortgage