Community Healing Center opens in Rockford for area kids

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Kids in Rockford who have experienced trauma from violence have a new place to get help.

On Thursday, city leaders officially opened the Community Healing Center at the Boys and Girls Club - Stenstrom Unit, 609 Kilburn Avenue.

The center gives children a safe space where they can access a variety of services. Leaders say the the center is based on the delivery model of Rockford’s Family Peace Center, which provides multiple services in one location.

The initiative looks to establish prevention and intervention strategies, address risk factors and build upon protective factors to prevent the exposure of violence to children. Therapeutic services, mentoring, recreation and service navigation are also available to kids and families seeking help.

“I’m really encouraged that this program is funded for three full years at minimum,” Rockford Manager of Community Violence Prevention, Brandon Tillman says. “These services will be available for the foreseeable future.”

Diana Hernandez, a community outreach and navigation specialist with the Community Healing Center, says she helps 15-20 kids a day.

“The majority group here are elementary students,” Hernandez said. “They’re aware that this is a space where they can come in, feel safe, ask questions, feel grounded and open up a little bit more. Our goal is to empower them to ask for help. Even though they’re young, as young as five, some of them are very vocal about what they need.”

Youth can visit the center from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Walk-ins are welcome and kids don’t have be a member of the Boys and Girls Club to participate.

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