SPOKANE, Wash. — Since the nonprofit Vanessa Behan first launched in the late 1980’s, they have provided care, support and love to more than 100,000 children. The need for their services continues to grow every single year, and community support is desperately needed.
On Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, volunteers will be at Nonstop Local KHQ taking your donations to help Vanessa Behan continue their life-changing, and at times life-saving, work.
You don’t have to wait until then to donate. You can do so right now here: https://vanessabehan.givecloud.co/telethon24
Vanessa Behan is named after a toddler who lost her life in 1987 after she was repeatedly abused. Investigators on Vanessa Behan’s case found the two-year-old had a fractured skull, cigarette burns, and other trauma indicating repeated trauma.
“The tragedy of Vanessa’s death outraged and saddened the Spokane community,” Vanessa Behan states on their website. “A handful of people initiated a grassroots effort to create a safe place where parents could bring their children any time, they are having difficulty providing them with safe and nurturing care. Since then, Vanessa Behan has impacted the lives of more than 103,000 children and their families.”
The reasons families turn to Vanessa Behan for help vary greatly and include work, stress relief, or medical appointments and care. Seventy percent of parents who turn to Vanessa Behan are single parents, and just over 20 percent are unhoused or living in transitional housing.
In addition to providing emergency childcare, they also help families with free diapers, formula and other essentials.
Misty Williams says Vanessa Behan has helped strengthen her family and allowed them to build a better future.
“I’m (working toward getting) my bachelor’s in early childhood education,” she said. “I’m trying to be a teacher. I really love children.”
She says her husband works hard, and she does too, but sometimes they still struggle. She says she’s forever appreciative she can turn to Vanessa Behan.
“You know getting some sleep maybe, a shower,” she said. “(I’ve utilized Vanessa Behan when I’m) going to do school work.”
The non-profit has also helped bridge the gap when money is extra tight. They supply families with what they truly need to get by.
“I don’t know what I would do without it, really,” she said.
