Alpha Phi Omega reaches out to Cortland Community
The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity collaborated with the YWCA Child Advocacy Program of Cortland on Saturday November 7th, 2009 to dedicate the Child Advocacy Center’s playroom on 19 Church Street, Cortland, NY.
The presenting of a plaque by Jeremy Jacobs to Rita Wright, which commemorated Alpha Phi Omega’s work in support of the playroom, highlighted the dedication ceremony at the Child Advocacy Center. Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity of SUNY Cortland also donated a $200 check towards advancing the Child Advocacy Center as a whole.
Alpha Phi Omega Vice President Jeremy Jacobs (Left) presents plaque dedicated to the playroom of the Cortland Child Advocacy Center to Rita Wright. (Right) Photo by Steve Cuce
“This project has inspired the fraternity to put more effort forward on upcoming projects with the Child Advocacy Center,” said senior Jeremy Jacobs, the Vice President of Alpha Phi Omega. “I look forward to watching the growth of the Child Advocacy Center in the years to come.”
Jeremy Jacobs has been working with Rita Wright of the YWCA Child Advocacy Program for a year overseeing the development of the playroom.
“The Child Advocacy Program is my baby,” said Rita Wright. “Children of physical and sexual abuse are going to be heard. These children will be provided with the services needed to sustain a better living. The Child Advocacy Center let’s children know there are adults out there that are more caring about their well-being as well as their safety.”
Wright is a child abuse and maltreatment professor for the Health Department at SUNY Cortland as well as a founding advisor for the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. She has been working with the YWCA of Cortland since 1988.
The YWCA of Cortland Child Advocacy Program officially opened in August 2009. The program aids service to child victims of physical and sexual abuse as well as their non-offending family members in a child friendly environment through a multidisciplinary team approach. The multidisciplinary team approach promotes intervention, coordinated investigation and collaborative action plans.
Multi-Disciplinary team members include YWCA of Cortland Aid to Victims of Violence Program, Child Protective Services of Cortland County Department of Social Services, New York State Police, Cortland City Police Department, Cortland County Sheriff and Mental Health Departments, Cortland County District Attorney’s Office, and State University of New York at Cortland Police Department.
The Child Advocacy Program offers services ranging from forensic interviews by law enforcements officers and child protective workers to medical intervention by certified professionals.
Senior Sean Dolberry is a member of the Zeta pledge class of Alpha Phi Omega that was the first group to start work on this service project for the Child Advocacy Center.
Dolberry stressed that the efforts of Alpha Phi Omega are a great opportunity to help children who are less fortunate.
“We hope to aid child abuse victims in the overcoming of physical and sexual abuse,” said Dolberry. “Our mission is to help child abuse victims realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
For more information on the YWCA of Cortland Child Advocacy Center located on 19 Church Street call (607) 753-0825 for the office line as well as (607) 423-2242 for the hotline. Child Advocacy Center office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Steven Cuce 