The Child Enrichment center celebrated the opening of its new expanded facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning.
A crowd of visitors that included Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, representatives from the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, as well those of several sponsors gathered in front of the new building on Walden Drive to support center’s achievement.
“When I think of this occasion, I think of all the child victims that we have helped, and so many others waiting for someone to speak up for them on their behalf,” said Sheila Stuberfield, president of Child Enrichment’s board of directors. “As this day brings joy to all who are here today, it also brings a brighter tomorrow for so many of those child survivors who will walk through these doors.”
The Child Enrichment Center began as a shelter for abused and neglected children, launched by a group of physicians, nurses and social workers, in 1978. Child Enrichment merged with the Augusta Child Advocacy Center in 1995, adding the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) program.
“We work with kids that are here to talk about horrible things, and the least our community can do is to show them that they can have a safe place for that,” said Executive Director Kari Viola-Brooke.
Fundraising began some five years ago to procure the $6 million to build the new 16,000-square foot facility. Ground broke in spring of last year, and construction by Kuhkle Construction (who built the original shelter) completed about two weeks ago.
The new space includes expanded offices for forensic interviews and counseling for children.
“Kids are going to be able to get therapy that they couldn’t get in the past,” said Viola-Brooke. “They won’t have to wait as long. We’ll be able to work with more kids to help them heal.”
The director also notes that the new expansion will enable the nonprofit to devote more resources to prevention efforts, saying the ultimate goal of Child Enrichment is to “go out of business.”
“Kids used to come into a place that was decrepit… horrible looking,” she said. “And now they’re going to come to a place where they know they’re important. And that means a lot.”
Child Enrichment, Inc. is located at 2300 Walden Drive.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
