About the Community

Columbia County is a rural community with a population of approximately 51,782 individuals. These individuals are spread out among eight different communities. People under 18 years old represent approximately 21.5% of the population. Each year, there are more than 1000 reports of child abuse concerns to the local Child Welfare Office.

Click here for more census data regarding Columbia County.

About the Center

The Amani Center is a non-profit organization established in October of 2000 for the purposes of developing and operating a community-based center where alleged child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and/or Domestic Violence/Witnessing Violent Crime, receive forensic/medical evaluations and support services in a child-friendly setting.

Referrals to the Center

Referrals to the program come from Department of Human Services, law enforcement agencies, mental-health providers, SAFE, DA’s Office, medical personnel, partner agencies, and caregivers.

Support and Funding

The Center sustains program services through financial support by medical insurance reimbursements, grants, fundraising projects, Child Abuse Multi-disciplinary Intervention funds, private donations, Crime Victims Compensation reimbursements, volunteers, community support and in-kind donations. (No family is denied services based on inability to pay).

Other Centers Similar to Amani Center

There are many other programs similar to the Amani Center in Columbia County. In fact, there are currently 20 child abuse intervention centers in the State of Oregon. Oregon is but one of many states to utilize centers in helping children suspected to be victims of abuse and/or domestic violence. As each county in our state is required to have a Multi-disciplinary Team to review child abuse cases, each county is also required to have services in place that ensure that every child reasonably suspected to be abused has access to therapeutic medical assessments (ORS 418.780 – 418.796 Statutes).

The Amani Center is an active member of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention and has already achieved Associate Membership status with the National Children’s Alliance (NCA). 

How You Can Help

Cash donations are always needed and appreciated. Your donation to the Center may be tax deductible. Donations of materials:

  • office supplies
  • medical supplies
  • new children’s toys

Join our team of volunteers. Call the Center to talk to a staff person about volunteer options.

For more information about the Center or to make a referral, please call 503-366-4005, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 P.M. We are closed on all federal holidays.