The Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center was presented with a $3,000 check from the Blackbelt Benefit Group Thursday to help cover costs at the center.

“Today we came to really applaud the efforts of the Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center,” said Carl Bowline, with the Blackbelt Benefit Group. “As a community organization to help fund other community organizations, Blackbelt Benefit Group wanted to recognize their efforts for helping children … who don’t really have a voice to fight for themselves.”

The center is a safe haven for children who have endured sexual and physical abuse. It covers five counties including Dallas, Bibb, Hale, Perry and Wilcox.

Lauri Cothran, executive director of the center, said she is excited to have received the check, and she knows the money is going to greatly help the center.

“Being the recipient of this is very helpful to us,” Cothran said. “It really makes an impact on our budget. We’re fortunate to have been chosen to receive the funds.”

The center has four forensic interviewers that are specially trained for the interview process. Since 2010, over 250 children have been seen at the center.

Being a nonprofit organization, Cothran said donations like the one from the Blackbelt Benefit Group are necessary and help tremendously.

“We have very little funding,” Cothran said. “We have to write grants and rely on local organizations to keep our doors open … [so] we are so excited.”

With Child Advocacy Month coming up in April, Cothran said this was the perfect time for them to receive the check.

Bowline said Blackbelt is honored to be able to give back to a group that is so focused on help children that have been through so much.

“Domestic violence and child abuse knows no social economic boundaries,” Bowline said. “So [CARCAC], like other organizations in the community, fight for folks who don’t really have the ability to fight for themselves.”

To raise money and awareness, the center will be doing a t-shirt fundraiser. They are currently seeking sponsors and employers who will allow their staff to wear the shirts to work on Friday’s.

For more information, call the center at 875-0890.