Barceda Families receives grant for family violence prevention project

Missouri Foundation for Health, a philanthropic organization whose vision is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves, has awarded Barceda Families with a "Family Violence Prevention" grant. The $150,000 grant will fund an awareness campaign as well as educate youth, civic, and government leaders on the dynamics of family violence.

"Many victims of family violence, especially in rural areas, find themselves trapped in an abusive relationship and are unaware of where they can turn for help," said Michelle Crockett, Executive Director for Barceda Families. "With this grant, we will publicize those agencies that can help victims of family violence. This will involve the distribution of brochures, cards, and booklets, as well as the use of billboards, public service announcements, and radio segments." Barceda will also educate teenagers on the warning signs of a potentially harmful relationship.

Barceda Families is a non-profit children abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment organization that was founded in 1997 by a group of concerned citizens in Barton, Cedar, and Dade counties, thus the name. The service area for the project includes the three original counties as well as Hickory, Polk, Dallas, Vernon, Jasper, and Newton counties.