Children's Crisis Treatment Center receives $50,000 grant to support kids, families | Philly Gives
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- What began as a research demonstration project in the basement of the Franklin Institute has grown into a beacon of hope for thousands of children.
For more than five decades, the Children's Crisis Treatment Center has helped young people navigate life's toughest challenges. Now, a $50,000 grant is allowing the nonprofit to continue its mission of turning hardship into hope.
For Melissa Wilson, the center has become like family. Her daughter came to the center for trauma treatment at age 5, and now her grandson is receiving care.
"My kids are like, 'Mom, where you going to be?' I already know... CCTC," Wilson said.
Wilson said early intervention was key.
"What was important to me was starting early, to know that they have these programs here. And the earlier the better. So you can get at what the child needs, so you can support the child where the child is at," she said.
The center serves children as young as 18 months through 18 years old, with 70% of its clients under age 10. Services range from mental health care to parenting support groups.
"It's being a trauma-informed organization. It's a big part of who we are. And the best way I can simplify that concept is to say that we don't ask what's wrong with the child. We ask, what's happened to a child? Almost every maladaptive behavior you'll see in any person comes from some past adversity or trauma," said Antonio Valdez, CEO of the center.
The grant comes from Philly Gives, a community-based fund. Contributions could help grow the gift to support not only children but also the parents who care for them.
Wilson said parent involvement has made a difference.
"And then when they had the parent advisory group, that was a key because that gave us a voice to be able to share how we felt, what other caregivers might need and that's, you know, that's how... that's when things changed," she said.
For more information, visit PhillyGives.org.
