Leadership Rockwall launches ‘Refuge of Rockwall’ campaign

(ROCKWALL, TX – Dec. 14, 2015) The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce‘s Leadership Rockwall Class of 2016 has pledged to create a “Refuge of Rockwall” backyard landscape for the local Women in Need and Child Advocacy Center in Rockwall. They have pledged to raise a minimum of $24,500 toward project completion.

With the creation of the refuge, Leadership Rockwall will reinforce the existing center into a healing fortress of security. They will secure the site with an 8-foot privacy fence and a controlled entrance gate, all while maintaining maximum privacy in a beautifully landscaped interior.

Children who have been physically and sexually abused will be able to be safely interviewed by a neutral professional and receive counseling at the Advocacy Center. By providing the backyard refuge, children will have an outside location to safely play and counsel in a natural environment.

Leadership Rockwall will provide the children with playground equipment, sandbox, swings, and pathways to play. The parents of the children will have an outside arbor space equipped with furniture, landscaping and a fire pit to discuss the traumatic events, child’s progress and other important details separately from the children, however, still in direct vision of the child at all times.

Victims of Domestic Abuse will also be able to enjoy the refuge as a safe place to receive counseling and other services and begin to heal.

Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper praised the work of the Chamber Leadership class. “This project will have a huge impact on the lives of both children and adults who have been victims of abuse,” she said. “I am so proud to be working with such an impressive group of individuals to provide a place for victims to safely find the help they need.”

For more information, email dannielle@rockwallchamber.org.