Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center has received a $15,000 grant from The Lillian Ashley Fund at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support trauma-informed intervention, including trauma-therapy and outreach programs throughout Coffee County.

The grant will help Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center to continue its work to provide trauma-therapy, advocacy services and community education, with a focus on children and youth. Support from CFMT will allow the organization to maintain its trauma-therapy program and make sure that children who experience severe abuse and their non-offending caregivers receive the advocacy and intervention support that they need in Coffee County.

“Community needs are changing quickly, and this grant gives us the flexibility to respond with care and purpose,” said Ivy Petty, interim executive director of the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center.

“We’re grateful for CFMT’s partnership as we continue working to get children who experience abuse on the path to healing in Coffee County.”

Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center has helped over 5,600 children since opening in 2005. Last year, 322 children were referred for services. This year, the Center is experiencing an even greater demand for services. All services are provided free of charge to children and families.

The Lillian Ashley Fund was established to honor Lillian Ashley’s commitment to giving back to the community she loved. A native of Manchester, Tennessee, Ashley created the endowment to support children, care for animals and promote environmental conservation throughout Coffee County. For more information about Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center and its work, visit www.coffeecountycac. org.

About Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) brings people, ideas, and funding together to help communities thrive. Through strategic grantmaking, civic leadership, and tools for longterm giving, CFMT partners with donors and organizations to create lasting impact across the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee. Learn more at cfmt.org