Welcome to the AWAKE website! Founded in 1993 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, AWAKE serves to educate and advocate for the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Jackson County, NC. In addition to prevention services, AWAKE acts as a Children's Advocacy Center during child abuse intervention by coordinating services of local agencies. We hope you enjoy our site and that the resources here are beneficial to you.
Sincerely,
Robin Schaeffer , AWAKE Executive Dtr.
Spring Fundraisers
Please include AWAKE, Inc. on your list of local charities to support this spring. The following events are planned:
April Child Abuse Prevention Month - Restaurant Donations & Annual Fund Campaign
Several local restaurants donated 10 percent of their sales on certain days in April to support April Child Abuse Prevention Month. They were: Zaxby's on Wednesday, April 3rd, Bogarts on Monday, April 8th in the evening, and Tuesday, April 9th during the day, Main Street Cafe/Bakery on April 17th, and Jack the Dipper on Tuesday, April 30th. Thanks to those who remembered to eat at these restaurants on these days and participate in this fund raiser.
A mass mail-out will go out to 1300 with April information about child abuse prevention and how to support the AWAKE Center. If you did not received a letter you can still support AWAKE's annual fund campaign by sending your donation to AWAKE, P. O. Box 755, Sylva, NC 28779. All donations are tax-deductible and a receipt will be mailed to you for your taxes. AWAKE relies on local financial support to supplement operational funds from federal, state, and grant foundation sources.
Pinwheels for Prevention
AWAKE provided close to 500 Pinwheels for Prevention to AWAKE mult-disciplinary team agencies, individuals, schools, organizations and businesses to display in gardens or in their agencies during the month of April. Barium Springs collaborated with AWAKE by ordering and placing many more in the community. Thanks to everyone for your displays, and Barium Springs for assisting with this effort. The pinwheels are a national effort spearheaded in NC by Prevent Child Abuse NC and are meant to be an uplifting positive message about providing children with loving, stable and supportive families and providing them with stimulating environments.
A donation can be given anytime by going to the "How You Can Help " page at this website and clicking on the Donate button to send a contribution to AWAKE with your debit or charge card!
AWAKE Updates
The AWAKE Children's Advocacy now provides the use of DVR-based interview recording equipment by child abuse investigators to monitor and record child forensic interviews. Child medical evaluations are provided at AWAKE by a Mission Children's Specialist (MCS) physician, Dr. Cynthia Brown, and Cindy McJunkin, RN/SANE nurse. AWAKE serves as a satellite site for the Asheville-based MCS clinic.
A part-time Victim Services Coordinator will be available to provide support and follow-up to children and families who receive onsite AWAKE services. She will also be available to present workshops on child abuse related topics in the community when requested. Onsite counseling services will be offered to families who prefer this mode of service delivery to the school-based one.
Please remember the importance of reporting suspected child abuse to Jackson Co. DSS at (828) 586-5546. The reporter can remain anonymous, if desired. It is important to have everyone's involvement and committment to this effort to provide the needed county-wide safety net of protection for Jackson County children.
