Holly’s House Awarded Grant from AT&T

Holly’s House, a non-profit child and adult advocacy center, will host a brief ceremony and check presentation on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 10:00 am EST at the Petersburg Elementary School, 1415 Alford Road, Petersburg, Indiana 47567, to acknowledge a grant award from AT&T made in support of the “Think First & Stay Safe” child abuse prevention program.  Holly’s House offers the “Think First & Stay Safe” personal safety and child abuse prevention program at no charge to elementary schools in five counties in Southwest Indiana.  This program utilizes the curriculum developed by Child Lures Prevention and focuses on helping children understand the lures or tricks that are used by people who might want to hurt them.  The program also focuses on bullying, internet and general safety lessons including emphasizing the importance of telling a trusted adult if they feel scared or unsafe.  Since first offering the program in the spring of 2010, over 35,000 elementary school students have been taught how to “Think First & Stay Safe.” As the demand for the program has increased, the “Think First & Stay Safe” staff has grown to include one full-time and two part-time prevention educators.

Sidney Hardgrave, Holly’s House Executive Director, said, “This gift supports the growth of this critical program. The “Think First & Stay Safe” program utilizes age-appropriate lesson plans to teach safety tools children may use for the rest of their lives. To receive this award with our partners from law enforcement, prosecution, and school administration present makes it even more meaningful.  It is wonderful to know that AT&T joins Holly’s House in our commitment to prevent child abuse.”