Child’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center in Redwood Falls is having an open house this coming Thursday, Sept. 16, from 2-6 p.m.

Do you even know what the Child’s Place is? In some ways, you’re lucky if you don’t have any direct experience with it. The Child’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center is the local facility where children who have been victims of a crime, or who have witnessed a crime, can be interviewed in a safe, child-friendly setting.

In the past, if a child reported being abused or molested, it was common for the child to be interviewed by a law enforcement in a police or sheriff’s office. Sarah Reynolds, executive director of Child’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center, explained to KLGR why the new organization was started:

Originally, the area child advocacy program was operated by the county. Sarah Reynolds explained why it made more sense to create an independent organization:

With a new Redwood County Courthouse being built right now, several organizations headquartered in the courthouse recently moved to the old Human Services building across the street from the law enforcement center. Reynolds explained why the move was necessary, and ended up being a good thing for the Child’s Place:

The Child’s Place staff also works with children and families to guide them through the often overwhelming legal or emotional process that happens after the interview:

Again, the Child’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center in Redwood Falls is having an open house this coming Thursday, Sept. 16, from 2-6 p.m.