The Center for Prevention of Abuse’s school programs are getting a financial boost. Ameren Illinois announced a 25-thousand dollar contribution to the organization.
The center offers educational programs to teach students how to keep their bodies safe, solve problems in positive ways, and build healthy relationships. 45-tri-county area schools have prevention educators, reaching about 20-thousand students annually. Martha Herm is the Executive Director of the Center.
“We really see it (as) the hope for the future. It is what’s going to make a difference. It is what’s going to change the culture in a school and make that difference because we don’t want them to grow up to be the future victims or abusers. So if we can teach those skills which many of them are not getting at home, we’re hoping that’s going to make a big difference.”
Herm says the center’s school prevention programs cost about 400-thousand dollars a year, and are mostly funded through donations and fundraisers. She says she hopes Ameren’s donation will inspire other businesses to donate to the center for the programs.