GREENFIELD — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin says there are many children who can’t run from abuse. But this weekend, others can run to help end that abuse.
The agency will hold its third annual Race to End Child Abuse, a 5K run and walk, on Sunday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Along with the adult race, it will also hold a free half-mile children’s race.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The children’s race will start at 8:40, and the 5K at 9.
The race, which saw 250 participants last year, will end at the Children’s Advocacy Center at 56 Wisdom Way. Registration is by donation: $15 for runners and $10 for walkers. Children can participate for free.
Children’s Advocacy Center Director Irene Woods said the center is based on the fundamental premise that children have the right to be safe and protected from harm. The nonprofit is dedicated to minimizing secondary trauma to child victims by streamlining the handling of cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation. All services are free.
The center focuses on the needs of children and their families, Woods said, ensuring services are provided, and it reduces the need for children to tell their stories repeatedly by coordinating a single interview to gather the information needed by each member of the team — including police and the district attorney — to successfully investigate allegations of abuse.
Through the Children’s Advocacy Center, children and families are linked to medical, mental health, victim advocacy and other services determined on a case-by-case basis.
Woods said the center runs completely on federal and state grants and fundraising, with last year’s Race to End Child Abuse raising $5,000. This year, it received $200,000 to operate, and then learned about an additional $60,000 that state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, secured for it in this year’s budget.
Woods said the extra money from the state will allow the nonprofit to expand.
“It could mean hiring an administrative assistant or a full-time director,” she said. “It will help with strategic planning, like where and how will CAC go forth. We’ll have to decide the best way to use it for operating expenses.”
For more information about the race, visit: bit.ly/2kbT2Mt.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.