Every child, youth, and non-offending adult who walks through the door of KIDS Center is embraced with warmth and positivity. The medical model child abuse intervention center, the only one of its kind in Central Oregon, provides head-to-toe medical exams, forensic interviews, and family support services for children who are suspected to have suffered abuse, all in a child-friendly environment that encourages people to seek the organization’s services rather than shy away from the difficult conversations surrounding child abuse. KIDS Center’s Medical Director, Nancy Heavilin, describes the inviting nature of the organization, located in Bend, as one that jives with its mission: dedication to the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child abuse. “Throughout its 26 years, KIDS Center has prioritized optimizing its space and processes to support healing,” says Heavilin. “Our choices are deliberate, from paint hue on the wall to snacks offered. Children's health, safety, and resilience are at the heart of our mission. This is reflected in the warmth of our front desk receptionist's smile, the way our family advocates light up when greeting families and the tunes our medical director inadvertently sings throughout exams,” she says.
Cork & Barrel, Central Oregon’s largest wine event and a fundraiser for KIDS Center, mirrors the uplifting spirit of the organization and brings the reality of child abuse in the area to light in a way that is digestable to guests. Held every July at Broken Top Club, Cork & Barrel is a three-day wine and food event series: mission moments are threaded throughout the tent; winemakers from the guest region – different every year – are well-versed in how KIDS Center helps the community; silent and live wine auction packages entice guests to give back to KIDS Center, a privately-funded nonprofit. Cork & Barrel raises upwards from 20 percent of the net revenue of KIDS Center every year. This year Cork & Barrel has pivoted to a series of virtual wine and food events, culminating in an evening of philanthropy by way of a virtual, live auction and paddle raise on Saturday, July 18. For information about the virtual fundraisers and the community campaign, visit CorkandBarrel.org
KIDS Center served 2,156 children, youth, and families in 2019 at zero cost to all who walked through the door. Those who haven’t experienced the light that KIDS Center shines throughout the community are encouraged to visit KIDSCenter.org