Various agencies and groups came together in Selma last week to promote their common cause: ending child neglect and abuse.

All the organizations have received donations from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

“It’s time to come together and celebrate the success the people in the Black Belt are doing to boost families and prevent child neglect,” said Sallye Longshore, the department’s executive director.

The department was formally and perhaps better known as the Children’s Trust Fund and funds organizations across the state that tackle child abuse from infants to teenagers.

“We cover a wide gamut,” Longshore said.

The district-wide event was held at the Arsenal Place Accelerator to highlight the work the business incubator is doing to create jobs.

“One of the barriers is poverty,” said District Judge Bob Armstrong. “What we are trying to do is create an environment where people can create jobs to support families.”

Armstrong sited a recent example from his son’s Robert’s business, Selma Good Company.

To fill an order for cookies, the company had to bring in temporary workers, giving employees job experience and something to put on a resume.

“[Hopefully}, we can get them connected to another job,” Armstrong said. “When a father can take care of himself, he can take care of his family.”

Guests toured Michael Williams’ Blue Designs as well as Ryan Bergeron’s Revival Coffee Company, both which are housed at Arsenal Place.

“We are proud of our community. We love our community, and the Black Belt area is going up,” Armstrong said.

In all, the department awarded $390,000 to at least seven organizations Friday.

Longshore said some additional grant money would be award in District 7 through the year as well.