Karri Buck – Consultant, Virtual Assistant, Paralegal
Exchange Club- Carl Perkins Center: Changing The World One Child At A Time
Crime, poverty, abuse; these are all unpleasant truths in our world, but thankfully there’s someone out there doing all they can to change the way these truths affect the future. That someone is a group of amazing folks at the Exchange Club – Carl Perkins Center in Somerville. Haley Duffey and her staff, Mickala and Kendall are helping change the world by being a light in the very darkest of times for families.
No one wants to talk about child sexual abuse. It makes us sick. The thought keeps us awake at night. It’s just easier to say, “Someone else will handle that.” Child abuse is real and we, as a society, need to recognize it, report it and support those that are going through it along with those who are helping the victims.
1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by age 18, girls more likely than boys. 50% of reported sexual abuse cases in Fayette County are child-on-child; with that stat being 75% nationally. 1 in 5 children are sexually abused in Shelby County. Fayette County saw 69 cases of severe abuse in 2024. Currently Fayette County’s Carl Perkin’s Center is seeing a new case every 5 days. They see the worst of the worst as they only handle severe abuse cases. Here’s how it works: a child abuse report is called in or submitted online to the Department of Children’s services (or directly to law enforcement). DCS and Law Enforcement will begin working together right away to insure the child’s safety. Next, the DA’s office and the child advocacy center will be made aware of the case, and a Medical professional, if needed. A forensic interview will take place at the Child Advocacy Center followed by a convening of all the members of the Child Protective Investigative Team. Each one has a vested interest in making this awful moment in the child’s life a starting point for a fresh beginning. They try very hard to keep victims from having to go to court, but if they have to the hope is to do it after they have received therapy. Mickala provides trauma therapy for the children in several ways including: Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral therapy & EMDR. On average there are 20 kids in therapy at any time at the center. Kendall works as a victim advocate. Helping prepare them for court, setting up services they might need and helping set little goals as they move toward their future are just a sampling of things she does at the Center. Haley is the Center’s director and is a direct reflection of the dedication her staff is to this mission. She deals with things most of us can’t stomach and yet she finds the heart and the will to keep putting on a smile because she knows that if the Center makes a difference for just one child; it’s all been worth it.
Abuse is generational and so is lack of knowledge. Haley, often with the help of certified volunteers, provides “Nurturing Parenting” classes regularly for parents in the community. Most of us take it for granted that parents know proper ways to communicate with their kids, how to discipline safely and even to do simple things like pass on solid morals. But there is a portion of our population that doesn’t understand these things and if they don’t, how do we expect their children to learn these things? Enter the Carl Perkin’s Center. In the Nurturing Parenting classes parents learn about brain development of children and teens, the impact of inappropriate parenting, alternatives to spanking, self-care and stress management, how to recognize feelings in children and teach them to manage their own feelings and help parents to realize their ability to impact a child’s emotional development by being a nurturing parent. These classes are free to the participants. Though this might seem like a small thing, the parents participating in these classes are making big changes in their lives, their children’s lives and ultimately the community.
None of this happens without you, though. The Carl Perkins Center is funded approximately 50% from generous donors and 50% through grants. April 12, 2025 the Fayette County Center will be hosting their annual “Fayette’s Got Talent” show at The Venue. There are still sponsorships and tables available. There will be great food, great entertainment and a silent auction. In September they will host their annual “Harvest of Hope” at De Terra winery. All money raised in Fayette County, stays in Fayette County so you can be sure your dollar is making a difference right here in your hometown.
Finally, child abuse isn’t going to stop because of one fundraising event. It’s going to stop because people choose to become educated. On April 3rd there will be a prayer breakfast at Reach 360 church to pray for our community, our leaders and the children we hold so dear. April 11th is a day to don blue to bring awareness to child sexual abuse. And if you want to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse taking an informative class would be ideal. The Carl Perkins Center will be hosting classes for the public on April 28, May 1 and May 3. These classes are vital if you work with children, raise children or just want the best for children in your community. You can contact the Fayette County Carl Perkins Center at 901-235-7283 to register for this or any other event or follow their Facebook page for more information. At the end of my interview with Haley, she said something profound that I just can’t let pass by. She said, “There’s a lot of good people working really hard to put the bad guys behind bars and keep boys and girls safe.” Let’s be the good. Let’s support the good that’s being done. Let’s work together to make a difference.