Patti Steele: Works to Make the Children's Center a Warm and Welcoming Environment

(photo courtesy of Patti Steele)

Since the founding of theTuscaloosa Children's Center in 1988, Patti Steele has worked to make the center a safe and welcoming place for children.

Ms. Steele was part of the founding team, serving as director from 1988 to 1995 and then returned as the Executive Director in 2004. She has been credited with "managing a service that is vital to the health, safety and security of many women and children in the area and she does so with limited funding sources."

The Center is modeled after the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama and provides forensic interviews and counseling for child abuse victims in a safe and comfortable environment. The Center is also an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance.

Ms. Steele has dedicated herself to the needs of vulnerable and underserved individuals who might otherwise be neglected if not for the work of the Center. In addition to her experience with social work, she is also adept in grant writing, critical to the overall financial health of the Center.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome, however, due to the nature of their work, it's not possible to spend time directly with the children, but there are a million ways you can help make their lives better.

Organizations like the Tuscaloosa Children's Center are hidden gems in that they provide services to people who might otherwise slip through the cracks and not have the same attention and opportunities we all need to survive and thrive as healthy, functioning adults.

If you would like to learn more about their important mission or how you can help keep their services making a difference for their community, check out their website, which is as warm and welcoming as their front door