Kemberlie Sanderson, Executive Director of Rainbow House in Warner Robins, was the guest speaker at the Centerville Rotary Club meeting on August 25. The Rainbow House has been in operation since 1986 and continues to provide a safe, child-friendly environment, for victims of child abuse in Houston County by coordinating community efforts in education, advocacy, family support, prevention and training.

This, said Sanderson, is accomplished by a team of professionals from DFCs, the Juvenile Division of the Sheriff’s Department, Rainbow House, the District Attorney’s Office and other professionals in the community. The Rainbow House serves two purposes including child advocacy and the Prevention Program. There are four types of abuse and they include the following: 1) Emotional Abuse, 2) Neglect, 3) Physical Abuse, and 4) Sexual Abuse. Sanderson reported that statistics show that child abuse is declining with neglect continuing to rise.

The Rainbow House also offers the Prevention Program which works closely with the school system in providing extra resources for the students. The program includes the Personal Body Safety Program that teaches elementary school students the personal body safety rules. Also, the program offers the First Steps program that volunteers visit the local hospital to offer new parents parenting education, emotional support, and referrals to community resources. Lastly, the Prevention program offers the Stop it Now! Georgia that implements strategies aimed at shifting the burden of prevention and protection away from children to the adults and communities who are responsible for their safety.

The Rainbow House is a not for profit organization and operates entirely on grants and community donations. Sanders stated much support has been provided from the county. The program consists of a total of five employees that assist with the programs associated with the Rainbow House.