North Central Missouri Children's Advocacy Center

Janie Dunning, Missouri USDA Rural Development State Director, announced funding of a $25,200 grant to the North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center to assist in purchasing an office building to house the agency.  A mock check representing the funding was presented to the Advocacy Center during a celebration held Wednesday, June 23^rd at their new location of 906 Main Street in Trenton, Missouri. 

“Adequate space from which to operate is essential for the continued good work of the North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center,” said U.S. Senator Kit Bond. “Congratulations to all who worked to secure these funds and a special thank you to the staff at the Advocacy Center for the very important work they do each and every day.” 

 Dunning said the grant funds originated from Rural Development’s Community Facility Grant program. The Community Facility Grants provide funding for essential improvements to Public Bodies and Non-profit organizations with substantial ties to the local community. The remainder of the cost of the office building was provided by a loan from Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri and private donations from citizens and organizations from within the Children’s Advocacy Center’s service area, which are eleven (11) counties in North Central Missouri.

Verna Kelsey, Executive Director, said, "I would like to thank the staff of the Rural Development office in Chillicothe for their assistance in helping us secure the grant funds for this project.  We had outgrown our previous office space and, to be in compliance with the State and National Children’s Alliance, we needed to re-locate to a larger office space.

Terry Toms, President of the Advocacy Center Organization, stated “The Advocacy Center Staff has worked very hard with the USDA/ Rural Development staff to make this a reality.  With the assistance of Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, private donations and the grant from Rural Development, we are now able to more adequately serve the children and families of rural North Central Missouri.”

  Dunning stated that “Funding important projects like this indicates that Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.”   She added, “Appreciation is extended to our federal elected officials supporting USDA Rural Development.  They have been strong proponents for the necessary funding for essential services for rural Missourians.”

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.  As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.  Further information on rural programs is available by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/ or contact Danny Jackson, at the Chillicothe Rural Development office,  1100 Morton Parkway, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601 or by calling 660-646-6222 extension 4.