HELPING OUR COMMUNITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Make a Difference publishes wish lists of nonprofit organizations, connecting our readers with those groups that are in need of gently used or new items.
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The Greene County Family Visitation Center is a comfortable and home-like setting that provides a safe, structured, neutral alternative for families needing supervised visitation or exchange services.
According to coordinator Libby Powers, parents and children of all ages use the Visitation Center and for some it is their only point of contact.
“For the approximately 55 children, trips to the Center can be made monthly or up to as often as two times a week,” she explains. “During Supervised Visitation, a monitor observes the interactions between the child and parent during the visit. A Neutral Exchange consists of a monitor facilitating the exchange of a child without interaction between the parents/parties.”
The Visitation Center offers several levels of supervised visitation and exchanges to accommodate most families and their unique needs. Common reasons for referral to the Center are long separation, abuse or neglect allegations, domestic abuse, substance abuse or mental health issues. Families access the Visitation Center through a court order or a referral from a Child Protective Services agency.
The Supervised Visitation Program was started in 1998 through a collaborative effort of many county programs and agencies. After being under the direction of the Greene County Juvenile Court for a time, the Visitation Center became a part of Greene County’s Family and Children First Department in 2000.
Here’s their wish list:
Snack-size packs of pretzels, animal crackers, Goldfish crackers
Individual 100 percent juice boxes
Walkie-talkies
Picnic table and umbrella
Furniture: 2 couches and 1 love seat (new please)
4 round folding tables- 5 feet in diameter
Folding chairs
Ride-on toys (i.e. tricycles, wagons, etc.)
Disposable bibs, wipes, and diaper changing pads
Framed World Map (child friendly)
Framed wall art portraying families/children of varying ethnicities
Dolls and doll clothes
Toy cars
Washable markers
Individual craft kits
Child’s art easel
Junior-size pool table or foosball table
Wii game console and TV
Wish-list items can be dropped off at 143 E. Market St. in Xenia. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to arrange other drop off times, you can call Libby Powers, Visitation Center Coordinator at (937) 562-5687. Items may be tax deductible as allowable by law.
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