The 2023 Storybook Gala is set for September 30th at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Paintsville, KY! Registration is now open! Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Judi's Place is on the hunt for local organizations and businesses that are interested in sponsoring this year's Run With Courage 5K on April 15. All proceeds from the event go directly to serving victims of child abuse. There are four different levels of sponsorships offering opportunities for every size of organization! You can learn more and view the sponsorship packet by following this link.

Registration for the Judi's Place for Kids 15th Annual Run With Courage 5K opens on February 1st at 8am. The race will be held on April 15th at Pikeville City Park. The cost to participate in the race is $30. You can register at runsignup.com/runwithcourage!

On January 9, 2023, Angela Parsons began her tenure at Judi's Place for Kids as the new Executive Director. Angela has a vast variety of experiences that equip her incredibly well to collaborate with the many different agencies, programs, community leaders, and supporters that Judi's Place is proud to work with. Angela has been an Executive Director for multiple CASA programs as well as a Director and Coordinator for many different youth organizations, training services organizations, and mental health programs.

Angela has a deep devotion to working with those who have dealt with difficult experiences as well as working to build up every staff, volunteer base, and every community she interacts with. She has ample experience with financial accountability, personnel management, grant management, policy and procedural coordination and compliance, educational presentations, and many more vital needs for this role at Judi's Place for Kids.

Angela also has deep ties to eastern Kentucky. Much of her family originates from all over the eastern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee areas. While most of Angela's experience has been based in Oklahoma, she is very excited to be moving closer to her family and to the communities they originate from. Angela is incredibly excited to take on this role and to lead Judi's Place in 2023 and beyond!

Beginning Friday, September 30 we will begin releasing a monthly newsletter on the last Friday of every month recapping the exciting ongoings from the month passed as well as previewing the events upcoming in the next month. To stay up to date on all of this information click here to subscribe to the newsletter!

JPK is currently hiring for three different positions: Executive Director, Finance Director, and Forensic Interviewer. If you or someone you know is interested in any of these positions, view the careers tab for more information!

​Special message for 2020

Thank you to Mountain Top Media for sharing this special message about child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please watch and take note of how we can all keep our eyes on the children.

Child Abuse Prevention Month - More important than ever

While it's important during this COVID-19 crisis for us to be healthy at home, the fact of the matter is that many children will not be safe from abuse and neglect during this crisis.  Parents and caregivers, as well as children, are experiencing higher levels of financial and emotional stress, both associated with increased risk for all forms of abuse and neglect.  Children and adults are isolated physically from their support systems.  Abused and neglected children are less likely to be around protective adults who normally would have noticed and reported suspicions of abuse.  

So we need to be more pro-active than ever in supporting children and families during this unprecedented time.  

Judi's Place for Kids staff and CASA volunteers are continuing to provide services to abused children, in different ways than we have in the past, using available technologies and remote work as much as possible.  Staff and volunteer advocates are conducting their contacts by telephone and videoconferencing.  CASA volunteer applicants are completing volunteer screening and training through videoconferencing.  Staff are conducting virtual meetings with the board and volunteers.  We are in touch with our national and state organizations on a daily basis for ideas on implementing new ways to work to protect children and strengthen families.

What can you do to help protect children?  How can we all support caregivers before abuse starts?  

Call and use video calling technology to check on children in your life, with caregiver's knowledge and permission.  
Share accurate information about applying for assistance or local resources that are available to help meet concrete needs.  Feel free to call us at Judi's Place for Kids if you need help locating a resource.
Share posts about stress reduction on social media.
Offer ways to help while still maintain social distancing.  Can you pick up groceries?  Can you talk to families in their yard while maintaining distance?
Check out this link for ideas on reducing the risk of child sexual abuse when arranging childcare: https://www.d2l.org/protective-steps/
Make time to meet your own social/ emotional needs during this stressful time.
Report suspected child abuse or neglect by calling: 1-877-KYSAFE-1 or imminent danger to 911.
Research if becoming a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is something you can do.

Check out the ideas in this newsletter.  Pick at least one action you can take and share with a friend.

We are still recruiting, screening, and training volunteer advocates for children.  We want to be ready to provide more children with Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), as we expect many more reports of abuse and neglect after the immediate crisis.  You can complete the application, interview process, and training remotely.  Click below to apply to become a volunteer.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored, performed, shared, and donated to the All for Children Telethon!
Your support means that more children in Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin Counties can find help, hope, and healing from abuse!  

13th Annual Run with Courage - Postponed!

We are looking forward to announcing a new date for the 13th Annual Run with Courage.  We will miss seeing so many of you at this event!  

Besides being a fun, positive, and family-friendly event that raises awareness of child abuse, Judi's Place for Kids relies on the revenue from this event to support services to abused children throughout the year. Our committed event sponsors have all stayed on-board with us for whenever we are able to safely hold the event. 

We know that many families are hurting financially at this time.  But if you are able, would you consider a one-time or monthly gift to help meet the financial needs that this event typically meets?  Click on the link below to make your secure, online donation.

Donate Now