From the Prevention Coordinator's Desk:
Hello! My name is Sara Cooley, the new Prevention and Education Coordinator at Amani Center. I am bringing 30 years’ experience as an advocate, educator, scholar and preventionist. My passion for prevention is informed by a wealth of lived experience and decades of experiences in Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (DV/SA) Nonprofit Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as on college campuses. As a survivor, I believe education and prevention can change lives, empower both individuals and our community, and build self-efficacy among our youth and young adults.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of age-appropriate, comprehensive, youth and community-led Sexual Abuse/Neglect (SA/N) Prevention programming. Our goal is to collaborate in the creation of a Community of Prevention Plan for sexual assault and neglect that embraces all facets of prevention. This community-specific plan will be grounded in trauma informed best practices, and integrated and informed by advocacy and response providers. And we will maintain an ongoing commitment to evaluation and improvement. Our aim is an actionable, evidence-based approach that aligns with community values and has the power to create collective knowledge of violence prevention. We are building partnerships to address a gap in SA/N prevention that is grounded in community voice and choice and will include Community Education and Awareness, multi-modal School and System Partner Education, Individual and Family Psycho-educational Skill Building, and Social-emotional learning through participatory Youth Groups.
I believe we can build a Culture of Prevention by building a language around SA/N Abuse Prevention that both aligns with community values and collective responsibility to prevent sexual abuse and violence. My goal is the promotion of healthy families and relationships through prevention of violence. This work cannot be done alone. We must work collectively within our organizations and across our community to call each other in rather than calling each other out. I look forward to learning from and collaborating with you all in our goal to end violence against youth and young adults.
Sincerely,
Sara Cooley, M.A.
What's New?
We are excited to congratulate SEVEN Amani Center staff who are now certified as Community Health Workers! The following Amani Center team members recently completed their CHW certification:
Alicia, Victim Advocate
Chasteen, Forensic Assessment Program Manager & MDT Coordinator
Damarys, Assessment Team Coordinator
Heather, Program Manager
Melissa, Victim Advocate
Natasha, MDT Program Assistant & Forensic Interviewer
Wendy, Bilingual Mental Health Program Assistant
CHWs are public health workers who are in our community, know our community, and are knowledgeable about the resources available to our community. Through the certification of these staff members, the Center can further expand its ability to provide needed support services to the children and families that we serve. For some of our staff, this was an important “cross training” that now provides greater flexibility throughout the agency to respond to needs as they arise.
We are proud of the hard work that our staff have put in to achieve this certification, knowing that their commitment to continued education makes a tangible positive impact in the lives of child abuse victims.
September Spotlight:
This month, we’re highlighting our Hullaballoo Dinner & Live Auction Presenting Sponsor, InRoads Credit Union!
InRoads Credit Union has proven to be a steadfast supporter of the Amani Center for nearly 20 years, demonstrated by their many donations, fundraising involvement and sponsorships of various Center events. Additionally, InRoads staff historically and currently participate and support the Amani Center as individuals as well.
The partnership between InRoads Credit Union and the Amani Center goes all the way back to 2006, with a donation of $1,000.00 made by InRoads when it was known as St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union. This donation was recorded by a local newspaper with a photograph of then CEO Casey Wheeler (left) handing a check to former Director Lisa Galovich (right).
Not only is InRoads our top Hullabaloo sponsor this year, they are also engaged in the process of selecting and presenting our annual ImPact Award on the night of the event! This award was created to recognize an individual, business or group that has gone “above and beyond” to make a notable positive impact on our organization in the last year. Join us at the Hullaballoo to find out who this year’s winner will be!
Thank you, InRoads Credit Union, for your generous sponsorship, and for your belief in the Amani Center mission to give abused children a voice. We are grateful for the many years of your partnership and your continued support.
25 Years of Amani:
We have another Amani Center scrapbook page to share as we look back on “25 Years of Amani” all throughout 2025, celebrating our 25th anniversary.
Take a look at this newspaper clip featuring the Amani Center’s one-year anniversary of the medical assessment facility! Former Director Amani Grow (right) and Forensic Interviewer Lisa Galovich (left) are shown in this photo with medical equipment used to take detailed photographs.
If you’d like to celebrate our “silver jubilee” anniversary with us, consider donating via our 25th Anniversary donation page. All donations will support the building fund, making a permanent home a reality for the Amani Center. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more scrapbook photos from the past!
Upcoming Events:
September 13th – Hullabaloo Car Show, Dinner & Live Auction
Get ready to kick up your heels and join us for the Amani Center’s annual Hullabaloo Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday, September 13th, 2025! This year is extra special as we celebrate a HUGE milestone – our 25th anniversary of making a difference in the lives of children! But that’s not all – we’re also bursting with excitement to celebrate the recent launch of our brand-new Mental Health Program earlier this year! Come be a part of this incredible night filled with fantastic food, thrilling auction items, and the infectious energy of a community coming together to benefit the Amani Center and help Columbia County’s child victims of abuse and neglect find hope, healing, and recovery.
Start the day by joining us from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the free Hullaballoo Car Show at the Columbia County Fairgrounds for a day of family fun! Come see a variety of old and new vehicles on display. The grange will be offering their famous pancake breakfast before the Car Show that morning, and a hot dog lunch option, as well.
Tables for the dinner event are available now to buy with a variety of sponsorship options; connect with Monica Rush at 971-899-1268 or mrush@amanicenter.org to secure your spot, or to donate items for the live and silent auctions. You can also purchase tables and tickets directly online HERE!
And last but not least, we send a big “thank you” to the Presenting Sponsor of the Hullabaloo, InRoads Credit Union.
September 19th, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Free Child Abuse Prevention Webinar
The Amani Center invites you to a FREE online training event entitled “Where the Boys Are: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Males”. In partnership with the Zero Abuse Project, this training is offered to parents, guardians, caregivers, teachers, coaches, and any community members who wish to better understand how young men and boys are affected by abuse.
Zoom Meeting ID: 918 1352 8086
Passcode: 124915
If you would like to receive a reminder email to attend this webinar, sign up here.