By LISA DICK
Noblesville Lions Club
The Noblesville Lions Club welcomed Cherish Center Executive Director Wendy Gamble to their Feb. 25 meeting.
Cherish Center is a nationally accredited child advocacy center in Hamilton County. Founded in 2009, the Center provides abuse intervention and prevention services in Hamilton and Tipton counties. They manage 40 to 45 cases per month, totaling over 5,800 cases since opening. There are six staff, including forensic interviewers and family advocates.
Cherish Center works with children as young as two years as well as endangered adults of all ages. Staff work with law enforcement of all levels, the Indiana Department of Child Services, prosecutors, victim advocacy groups, and medical and mental health professionals. They deal with cases of domestic violence, online grooming, and sexual abuse, with most coming from DCS.
Cherish Center is supported by grants from local, state, and federal government, and they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations provide everything from comfort items for children during interviews to trauma therapy sessions.
To learn more about Cherish Center, go to cherishcac.org.