By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
JAMESTOWN (WATE) - A service that helps abused children in Fentress County is in desperate need of help itself.
The Fentress County Children's Center, a non-profit service, has been helping physically, emotionally and sexually abused children from ages three to 18 since 2004.
"We are the only mental health facility in Fentress County that works with children," said Executive Director Lisa Roysdon. "If we weren't here, our children would have to travel an hour or so away."
Recent cuts in state and federal funding have left the children's center in a dire situation.
"We are hoping to make it to the end of the year," Roysdon said. "We're fairly sure we're going to make it through October and at that point, things are getting a little bit scary."
Right now, they're only surviving on public donations and grants from private foundations.
In 2012, they've seen a $150,000 drop in their funding. That includes a 20% drop in public donations.
If more funding is not found soon, some services may be cut.
"It's very important for them to receive these services so they can go and carry on normal productive, healthy lives," said the center's only licensed counselor, Wes Clark.
His job is also at risk of being cut. "If my job is not here, that really would limit the impact the children's center has on the community," Clark said.
The staff is pleading for the community to donate whatever they can.
"It's our job to take care of these kids," said Roysdon. "It's adult's jobs to take care of these kids. I would just like to see some people step up and stand up and help us out here."
All the services at the center were free until a few months ago. That's when they had to start charging children who have TennCare.
Roysdon says that money still isn't enough to keep all the services going.
Fentress County commissioners are also working to see if they can help out the center. They're in the middle of their budget workshops.
If you'd like to make a donation, you can visit the center's website or call 931-879-7290.
"It's adult's jobs to take care of these kids. I would just like to see some people step up and stand up and help us out here," said Executive Director Lisa Roysdon.
"It's very important for them to receive these services so they can go and carry on normal productive, healthy lives," said the center's only licensed counselor, Wes Clark.
