Voices for Children in Nebraska recently announced Project Harmony as the recipient of the Nonprofit Award at its upcoming Spotlight Gala to be held September 19 at Embassy Suites La-Vista. The Nonprofit Award is given annually to an organization or program that employs innovative strategies or programs for the benefit of Nebraska’s children and families.
Project Harmony (www.projectharmony.com) was selected for their nationally-recognized best practices that helped over 25,000 children in Nebraska and Iowa and changed how the Omaha-metro responds in situations of abuse or neglect.
Founded in 1996, Project Harmony was one of the first non-profits to open a child advocacy center, an inviting, child-friendly facility that uses public/private collaboration to house law-enforcement, investigative, social service, medical and referral staff.
When a child is suspected to have been abused or neglected, they are brought to Project Harmony where a child development professional works with relevant agencies to conduct a single video-taped forensic interview, cutting down the times in which the child must retell his or her experience. The facility also enhances communication among professionals by co-housing in one facility: Project Harmony, the Omaha Police Department-Child Victim/ Sexual Assault Unit, and Nebraska Health and Human Services-Child Protection Services.
The Spotlight Gala, benefiting Voices for Children, includes silent and live auctions, dinner and the Spotlight Gala awards ceremony. For event information, please call (402) 597-3100 or visit http://voicesforchildren.com/spotlight-gala/.