Stories for Good: Better Tomorrows Beyond Abuse at Matty’s Place – Winona & Stepping Stones – La Crosse

Winona, Minn. (Family & Children’s Center) – As you drive toward the Mississippi River on Franklin Street most of the year, it might be easy to overlook the triangular purple entrance and turquoise and purple awnings of Family & Children’s Center. But in April, that is not the case when a hundred blue child silhouettes dot the yard noting Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Most children will not endure the experience of walking through the FCC doors at the Franklin Street offices to receive help at Matty’s Place that houses Winona’s child advocacy center or Stepping Stones that houses La Crosse’s child advocacy center.

But the statistics are still staggering that one in four girls and one in nine boys will be the victim of physical or sexual abuse.

The children that Danielle Swenberg, Olivia Kudronowicz, and Nicole Eiken interview with almost every day have faced traumatic experiences, whether that of sexual abuse, physical abuse, extreme neglect, drug endangerment, or as a witness to violent crime with a focus on domestic abuse. As Forensic Interviewers and Family Advocates Olivia and Nicole, and Danielle as the Program Coordinator, are projected to work with 300 to 325 children and families at Matty’s Place in Winona and Stepping Stones in La Crosse this year, making the work they do so important.

“Seeing how resilient kids can be is huge. It amazes me how they are here for an interview as a shell of a kid, but we are able to help get them to a safe place to where they are thriving, because of the people that responded in a way that they felt safe, heard, and provided them with a way to fluish,” Eiken said.

The interviewing process that FCC child advocacy experts conduct is not as simple as asking the child to tell you about, “the thing”.  By teaming up with law enforcement, a district attorney, and child protective services, skilled FCC staff are able to form questions that will help with the legal proceedings against the child’s potential abuser.

They also work to build a trusting relationship with the child during the interview process. This means that they are honest with them about cameras recording their conversations and that a team of “friends” are also watching the interview. At any time if the child does not want to continue with the interview or is not ready to talk about their experiences, the interview is ended immediately.

Matty’s Place and Stepping Stones are not just focused on the forensic interviews. The advocacy work that FCC staff do every day is just as important as the forensic interviews. The term advocacy encapsulates following up with the children and families regarding the court proceeding, providing them with an abundance of resources or just being someone to listen. At any point FCC child advocacy could be continuously working with 10 to 40 different families each. Advocacy for these families does not have to be a one-time occurrence, but rather can last weeks or even years for some families.

For the children and families that walk through Matty’s Place and Stepping Stones doors they will never receive a bill. It is the incredible nature of Family & Children’s Center that allows the Winona and La Crosse communities to have access to such important services. FCC’s generous donors along with grants and local funding are the reason that these families and children are able to rebuild their lives and have the future they all deserve.

For the children and families that are receiving Matty’s Place and Stepping Stones forensic interviews and advocacy, it is the caring and persistent nature of FCC’s expert staff that gives them the hope to rebuild their lives.

Danielle, Olivia, and Nicole continue to advocate “this is our job, but this is their lives,” as they work every day to help children and their families see a better tomorrow, today.

In Winona Family & Children’s Center offers two facilities at 601 Franklin St, and 428 W. Broadway serving prevention, intervention and treatment programs for children who have experienced abuse and mental health services for all ages.

Article originally appeared in Winona Daily News on September 14, 2023.