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Western Slope Center for Children

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Western Slope Center for Children

The Western Slope Center for Children (aka "Center for Children") provides collaborative servi...

The Western Slope Center for Children (aka "Center for Children") provides collaborative services to child abuse victims and their families. Each year, the Center for Children serves 300+ children in cases involving child abuse allegations, ranging from sexual abuse to physical abuse & neglect, drug endangerment, witness to domestic violence & homicide, and much more. The Center for Children has a

team of professionals across five core areas of service dedicated to providing child victims and their families help, hope, and healing. Working alongside strong community partnerships, the Center for Children seeks to ensure that children whose voices are silenced by their abuser will once again have them restored.

04/27/2026

It’s the last week of April, and that means this week is the last week of child abuse prevention month. We are so grateful to all of those who have decided to for kids.

This week, some members of our District Attorney’s office have gone blue! Hear below why Melinda Shishim, chief deputy DA, as well as senior trial deputies Juliann Lawrence and Robert Zentner have decided to .

“We wear blue at the Mesa County District Attorney's office because we believe children. We work diligently with advocates and other professionals in our community to fight for justice for children every day, all year. We're proud to have a part in giving these children a voice and reclaiming their power from their abusers.”

“I am so fortunate to do the work that I do. I get to witness firsthand what strength and courage really is. True strength and courage is a child who has been subjected to the most unimaginable abuse - often by those adults who should be protecting them - standing up for themselves and speaking the truth. I am going blue for these amazing, inspiring survivors.” -Melinda Shishim

04/24/2026

Hear why Aletha Jenkins, assessment supervisor with DHS, is going blue for child abuse prevention month! 💙⬇️

“I wear blue because I firmly believe every child deserves to feel and be safe in their homes, with their caregivers, and in their bodies. Children deserve to be able to grow, thrive, and be free from abuse and neglect. That's why I wear blue”

04/23/2026

In recognition of national victim’s rights week, we would like to recognize Priscilla Perez, one of the center’s family support advocates.

“As a Bilingual Family Support Advocate, I believe advocacy means providing compassionate, culturally responsive support to children and families while creating a safe environment where they are heard and believed. It involves acting with compassion, maintaining professionalism, and working collaboratively to support their well-being and long-term stability. I view advocacy as a responsibility to protect and uplift children by amplifying their voices, promoting their best interests, and supporting pathways toward safety and healing. At its core, advocacy means caring enough to act—listening, learning, and using my voice to help create meaningful, positive change.” - Priscilla Perez

Thank you, Priscilla, for advocating for victims! 💙✨

04/22/2026

Crime victims right week is not only a time to recognize victims of crime, but also those who jump in and stand by a victim’s side. Today we highlight Melissa Jefferson, one of the family support advocates at the Center.

“Advocacy is an act of service and can take many forms. Examples include advocating on behalf of families to find counseling for their child, addressing food insecurity, or attending court proceedings.

Advocacy may include ensuring that a victim of a sexual assault feels safe to return home, gets connected with victim’s compensation, or receives a referral for follow up care. Advocacy comes down to what the Center offers on a continual basis; hope, help and healing for children, families, and adult victims of sexual assault. Caring for survivors is a group effort between Center staff, our multidisciplinary team, and our community.” -Melissa Jefferson.

Thank you Melissa for standing with victims of crime!💙✨

04/21/2026

This week, we recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week—a time to honor the strength, resilience, and voices of survivors everywhere.
We stand with victims and their families, acknowledging their experiences and reaffirming the importance of justice, healing, and support. Everyone deserves to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity and respect.
Let’s continue to raise awareness, advocate for victims’ rights, and build a community where survivors are supported every step of the way.

04/15/2026

So grateful for Bookcliff Family Dental making us their quarterly nonprofit!

04/14/2026

Hear why Ashley and Rachael choose to for child abuse awareness month. 💙🐕‍🦺

“I ‘go blue’ to help give children some extra strength and confidence while speaking to law enforcement or in court. Seeing the difference Rachael can make with a child (or adult) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. A child's face literally lights up when Rachael walks around the corner. They take a deep breath, and suddenly there is a sense of calm in the room. Rachael loves to run to the children she has met before, and they develop a relationship that can carry from that first interview all the way through testimony. We are a small part of the big picture, but hopefully a comforting part”

04/10/2026

Hear why Collbren, one of the Center’s forensic interviewers, has decided to for child abuse awareness month. 💙⬇️

“I choose to ‘go blue’ for all of the children who have endured the relentless reality of child abuse. For those who have lost their lives, for those who wake up everyday scared and unsure, for those who are actively working up the courage to say something, and for those who are still learning to heal in the face of trauma. I ‘go blue’ so others know that one child being abused is too many, and that through education, resources, and prevention efforts, more children can live without the presence of fear and uncertainty.”

04/09/2026

In honor of child abuse awareness month, hear why Detective Kaelyn Dennis has decided to for kids. ⬇️💙

“I 'go blue' to help give children a voice in their pursuit of justice. It is often times the most innocent and vulnerable of humans who endure some of the most tragic events. I take pride in fighting the real-life monsters they often can't on their own. It is an honor to collaborate with so many amazing professionals on behalf of every child victim to make their story heard and render justice.”

04/08/2026

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month 💙

This month, we take time to honor, support, and stand with those who have been victims of abuse. You are seen, you are heard, and you are not alone.

Join us in wearing blue and using to raise awareness and show your support. Together, we can make a difference. 💙

04/06/2026

Say hello to the newest face at the Center! 👋🏻

Emi Black (they/them) has joined our team as a psychology intern! They are graduating in May of 2027 with their bachelor of art’s in psychology with a minor in forensic investigations and will be working towards a doctorate in forensic psychology. They were inspired by their nana to pursue an education in psychology, who was a licensed therapist working with children and families who experienced abuse. Now, Emi hopes to continue their nana’s work and help children heal. In their free time, they enjoy reading and spending time with their kitten, Catrine!

Welcome, Emi!

04/01/2026

So many wonderful years of dedication and service to the community! Congrats on such a huge milestone, Lt. Peck!

Address

2350 G Road
Grand Junction, CO
81505

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19702453788

Website

https://www.centerforchildrencac.org/

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The Center for Children

The Center for Children (the Center) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization whose purpose is to facilitate and coordinate the work of existing governmental agencies and independent service providers to meet the needs of children who have been sexually abused, severely physically abused, or who are witnesses to violence.

The Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment to facilitate the interviewing of children who are victims of abuse and neglect as well as provides direct, supportive services to victims and families or appropriate referrals to community agencies. In Mesa County, more than 300 children a year are harmed by sexual or physical abuse. These children need the careful attention of professionals trained to address their special needs. With your support, the Center allows service providers and professionals to come to the child instead of the child and family having to go from agency to agency.