Art Thrives Child Safe

Formed in 1986, ChildSafe is a Fort Collins based community organization which works with victims of child sexual abuse and their families. ChildSafe therapists provide individual and group therapy for victims, both children and adults who were abused as children, and their non-offending family members.

Supporters of ChildSafe gathered at the Fort Collins Country Club for dinner and an art auction last Friday evening.

Emcee Scott Beasley welcomed the crowd and introduced members of the ChildSafe staff.  Valerie Macri-Lind, MS, LMFT spoke to the crowd about ChildSafe services.

During the dinner Senator John Kefalas introduced his friend Tom Wilberton, who had most of the audience members in tears as he discussed the sexual abuse of his daughter by his brother.  His family members blamed Tom’s three-year-old daughter and cut Tom’s family off from other family members.  Despite therapy, Tom’s daughter committed suicide and devastated Tom, his wife and children.

Hence the efforts of ChildSafe. Artists throughout the Fort Collins area donated art in a variety of media and guests bid for both silent auction and live auction items.  Auctioneer Jeff Sweeney warmed up the guests with a paddle raiser and then engaged them in a lively live auction.

For further information about ChildSafe, please check out their website at http://www.childsafecolorado.org