North Star Child Advocacy Center (NSCAC) is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of the West Virginia First Foundation’s (WVFF) inaugural Opportunity Grant.
The grant, totaling $720,000.00, will be used, in part, to purchase and expand the center itself, which will allow NSCAC to also bring on board a full-time therapist, two instructors for schools in the prevention program, and provide offices for law enforcement investigators that conduct child crime investigations. The expansion, which has been in planning for two years, is expected to cost in excess of $900,000.00 when complete. This project aligns with North Star’s mission to provide their counties with a coordinated, multidisciplinary, and sensitive approach to child abuse through a child-friendly center in which child abuse can be addressed.
Greg Collins, executive director of North Star states that planning and discussions for the purchase/expansion are now taking place, with estimates for work such as cameras, door locks, and IT infrastructure happening as well. “With a purchase of our own space, North Star will no longer have leasing or rent payments coming out of an already challenged budget. The limited funding can all be put toward our children and our center. This was part of the 100-yearplan at the very onset of my tenure to make sure North Star is always here,” Collins states.
“We are deeply grateful to the West Virginia First Foundation for believing in our vision and supporting our work,” said Collins. “This grant allows us to have a full-service child advocacy center that can address each and every child that comes through our doors, from the onset of abuse to hopefully, the healed child. Together, we are making strides toward a healthier and more hopeful West Virginia when we make these kids a productive part of society, not leaving them to struggle through life and be the next generation of problems we are trying to fix.”
When asked how this particular grant award is applicable to North Star, Collins referred to a statistic in the 23-24 North Star Report. “34% of the kids that came through our center in the last fiscal year were drug endangered children. That is compared to 16% at other CACs in the state of West Virginia and 4% at CACs nationwide. From my experience in law enforcement and now here at the center, I believe that percentage is likely much higher for us. We have kids that can tell you how to use different kinds of drugs, kids that have been in the home of a parent when they overdosed, and kids that have accompanied their addicted mothers to hotel rooms to prostitute themselves for drugs. We had an instant where a mother, who was an addict, moved a pedophile into the home so he could supply her with drugs and pay her bills, in exchange giving him access to her children as payment.” Collins concludes with a statement to those who think a child advocacy center shouldn’t benefit from this opioid money. “I’ve heard statements questioningthe opioid money going to any CAC. I’ve seen how addiction affects adults in my law enforcement career and in my current position, I see it affecting children. I will say with certainty, if we as a society don’t start spending money to fix these children that have addicted parents, we will continue to spend money on this problem when they become the adults that need fixed. When in law enforcement, I asked many of the people on the streets or in tents why their life was like it is, many started by saying they were abused as a child. At some point, you get tired of pulling people out of the river and you get wise and go upstream to see why people are falling in.”
Janelle Seevers, president of the North Star Board of Directors, shared her excitement regarding the award. “This expansion has long been desired by Greg and our board of directors. We are blessed with great board members who are constantly looking for a way to help the center do better for our children. This amazing award is so timely to our growth and vision, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the First Foundation and its members for realizing that this is a perfect fit for this money.”
Jonathan Board, Executive Director of the West Virginia First Foundation, praised the work of North Star. “Child advocacy centers like North Star are at the heart of our mission to empower communities and combat the effects of substance use disorder. Their dedication to creating positive change is inspiring, and we are honored to support their efforts in Wood, Ritchie, Pleasants, Wirt and Calhoun Counties through the Initial Opportunity Grant.”
The WVFF Initial Opportunity Grant underscores the Foundation’s dedication to investing in organizations and initiatives that address the opioid epidemic and its far-reaching impact across the state. North Star Child Advocacy Center is honored to be part of this mission and is committed to using this funding to drive meaningful change.
To learn more about West Virginia First Foundation, visit wvfirst.org. People can contact North Star at 304-917-4437 or via email nscac@northstarcac.org to learn more about how you can help. You can also visit them at northstarcac.org or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. People wanting to contribute an afterlife donation can contact the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) to leave an endowment or a legacy gift.
About West Virginia First Foundation: The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) is a nonprofit organization established to address the opioid crisis and its lasting impact across the state. Created under the terms of the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), WVFF was designed to receive and distribute opioid settlement funds. Guided by the principles outlined in the MOU, the Foundation operates as a private 501(c)(3) entity to support prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts. Through strategic funding and community collaboration, WVFF is committed to creating sustainable solutions that improve the health and well-being of all West Virginians. For more information, visit wvfirst.org.
