The Alliance of Southwest Missouri
Guest contributor Kari Clements, Executive Director of The Alliance of Southwest Missouri, introduces us to her organization.
“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I was repeatedly molested over a six-year period of my childhood…”
So begins a letter from Angel, an adult survivor who participated in The Alliance of Southwest Missouri’s Stewards of Children Program. It must be very hard to go public with a statement like that! Here’s more of her story…
“Through attending a training class held by The Alliance, I learned how adults can be, and should be, protecting children from sexual abuse. Though uncomfortable, I learned that talking about child sexual abuse should not be awkward…
“The way to fix this huge problem starts with ourselves, our families, and our communities. I know personally that the tools taught in this Alliance training class work – they are partly why I chose to tell my story of abuse. The Alliance helped me see this is not just my fight – but that I’m in it with parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors – we’re all in it together! I share my story because there are too many like me. But as a survivor, I can help end child sexual abuse.
“All it took was one person in my life to see the real me – The Alliance staff asked just the right questions and loved me regardless of my answers. I can’t say I’m fully healed but I can say it is easier working through things when you have someone to walk alongside you.”
Since 1998, The Alliance’s mission has been to build safer and healthier communities by promoting awareness of identified needs and working together with citizens and organizations to achieve better results for children, families, and communities. Activities are focused in three key areas: Child and Family Health and Well-Being, Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention, and Community Involvement. In 2013, Alliance programs served over 50,000 clients through 835 activities and events.
The Alliance works with community members, such as Angel, to prevent child abuse and neglect, help at-risk teens build relationships with positive role models, teach young parents how to guide their children in a loving and effective way, educate teens and adults about the dangers of substance abuse, and assist children and families to make sure they receive the resources they need (such as safe cars seats or bicycle helmets) to prevent unintentional accidents and injuries.
“The Alliance is helping make our community smarter, better, and safer – one person at a time. Thank you for showing us how important we all are… now that we have been educated, we can help educate others.” – Angel
To learn more about The Alliance and how you can get involved, visit: www.theallianceofswmo.org.
*Photos provided by The Alliance of Southwest Missouri.
Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
