CASTLE Marketing Director Gundula Hargreaves (left) and Executive Director Theresa Garbarino-May work hard to promote the many programs that have evolved since 1981, when the Exchange Club first began teaching parenting skills to families. Today, CASTLE is the premier agency in the fight against child abuse with a 98 percent success rate. “The strength of an organization comes from a staff that has a clear vision of how to prevent child abuse every day and a community that is willing to support them,” says Garbarino-May.
Six-year-old Sarah’s eyes shone with anticipation as she and her younger sister waited for their father in a room filled with games and art supplies. This would be the fourth time the family, torn apart by divorce, would be taking part in “Valued Visits,” CASTLE’s supervised visitation program that offers a safe recreational setting for children and parents to rebuild their relationships.
Linda Chastain has seen the difference these visitations make in the lives of kids like Sarah. Linda’s involvement with the program began seven years ago when the Junior League of Indian River, of which she is a member, developed Valued Visits in collaboration with CASTLE (Child Abuse Services, Training & Life Enrichment), the premier agency for the prevention of child abuse and neglect on the Treasure Coast. Seeing at first hand the positive impact the United Way agency’s educational efforts make in the lives of children, Chastain has continued to volunteer her time and energies.
“CASTLE’s focus is always on their clients and meeting their mission,” she says. “They work tirelessly to protect children caught in the crossfire of their parents’ broken relationships. There are several local organizations that support children who have been removed from abusive and neglectful homes, but CASTLE works with families through parent education and counseling programs to teach positive parenting before potential abuse takes place.”
Read the entire article in the April 2008 issue
True Tails is a series written by Amy Robinson for Vero Beach’s dog lovers. Ask Amy about your dog’s behavior by clicking below.
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