Craig Secher, founder and executive director of Realities for Children, gave our in-person meeting a brief overview of the background, goals, and accomplishments of his charity that is focused on children, especially in Larimer County, who have been abused, neglected, or otherwise at-risk. Mr. Secher and his wife formed the organization in 1995 after many years in governmental organizations like Child Protection Services in Larimer County. Their mission is to meet the un-met needs of children in emergency services and healing-support in our community.
Statistic from Larimer County: last year, 6795 new reports and referrals of child abuse.
Encourages support of businesses in the area who support their efforts (list of the approximately 270 local businesses available on their web site, “realitiesforchildren.com”).
Healing philosophy: 1. Support a child by providing emergency services when all other resources are exhausted. 2. Support through the entire healing process. 3. Break the cycle of abuse to see the children not only survive but triumph over their abusive past.
Realities For Children has created a county-wide emergency safety net where any child in need has access to emergency services - must be requested through a caseworker or representative of their Partner Agencies.( listed on their web site), providing emergency services within 60 minutes of request, 24/7. Last year, that provided emergency services to 5116 children (averaging 14 children each day).
Healing services covers a multitude of actions and activities for the children they are serving. Monthly youth activities (1510 children last year), item distributions (school backpacks distributed to some 1400 kids), 34,000 diapers, bikes for tykes, Santa workshop (warm winter clothing and Christmas gifts, among others), and the KindConnect program that delivers needed items - (last year provided items to 15,192 children), Homebase Youth Activity Campus (4979 kids & guardians hosted there last year), Keeping Dreams Alive program (program to assure children that their dreams can come true for a better tomorrow).
Breaking the cycle: mainly focused on children who are emancipating out of the program. Part of the program is the Triumph Awards Program which provides scholarships and post-emancipation mentoring. Much of the mentoring is provided by now-adults who previously emancipated out of the program. It becomes like a family coming together.
Businesses that support Realities for Children cover the overhead for the organization, so any individual’s donation goes directly to support of children. They work with the 36 partner organizations so that any child who needs support can get it – an entire demographic of support for abused and neglected children.
Questions:
Where is your facility? Four acre campus just east of Resthaven Cemetery, east of US 287 between Fort Collins and Loveland. Soon to expand to eight acres.
Services for other deeper physical or emotional needs? This is covered by their network of partner agencies. Every child who has needs that fall within the area of emotional and physical needs can be served within that network of partner agencies. This network provides insight into differing and rising needs.
Percentage of success? Hard to answer because there are successes every day and ongoing problems that need support. Recidivism? Children who return to their homes? Governmental regulations are focused on family reunification whenever possible. Some of the success of the program is evidenced by the successes of the Triumph Youth that stay involved with the program.
Domestic trafficking? In our area, yes. In the I-25 corridor, there is interface with the FBI. He has been involved with cases of sexual abuse on children as young as 5 years old.