HOWELL — The Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center and the Monmouth County Juvenile Officers Association will hold a walkathon on Oct. 16 at the Mana-squan Reservoir recreation area on Windeler Road in Howell from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to a press release, this is part of an ongoing effort to raise money to build the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. The center, modeled after similar facilities throughout the state and country, has been designed to minimize the trauma to Monmouth County’s child victims and their families during an abuse investigation.
Currently, a victim and the families must meet with representatives of different agencies at various locations; which may increase the stress level for the child and family, according to the press release.
The child advocacy center will be built on the grounds of the Monmouth County social services complex on Kozloski Road in Freehold Township; it will be a facility where all the professionals who respond to a child abuse investigation provide assessment and services under one roof.
Proponents of the child advocacy center say it will significantly improve the way services are offered to the children and families of Monmouth County. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office assisted local police departments in more than 600 cases of child physical and sexual abuse in 2003, according to the press release.
All are welcome to attend the Oct. 16 event at the reservoir. A registration fee of $10 per adult walker and $5 per child walker (ages 8-12) is requested. Children under 8 are free. Participants are encouraged to obtain sponsorships. Those who are unable to attend the event but would like to make a tax deductible donation may mail it to the Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center, 75 West Main Street, Freehold 07728.
For additional information about the walk call Howell police Detective Eric Rice at (732) 938-4575, ext. 2874.