Douglas C.A.R.E.S. helps children cope with trauma

Children who’ve experienced trauma need special care, and a Douglas County organization is there to help them.

“Douglas C.A.R.E.S was established in 1994 to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect move through that process,” says Executive Director Sarah Wickersham.

Unfortunately, there’s a great need for the work they do. Douglas C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services, handles about 3,000 reports of child abuse per year.

“We have highly trained, specialized forensic interviewers who help a child tell their story and tell it just one time with somebody who can walk them through that process without leading questions, without triggering the trauma,” Sarah says. “We have a very calm and welcoming setting that’s specialized for children of all ages.”

Oregon Pacific Bank supports the efforts of Douglas C.A.R.E.S. in Roseburg, not only by offering banking services, but through the volunteer efforts of employees.

“I’ve been involved with C.A.R.E.S. for many, many years,” says Anita Cox, Branch Manager of our Roseburg Branch. “Sadly, our numbers aren’t going down, they’re going up. We need to be there for the children who have gone through the stresses themselves.”

Jeff Benham, now retired from our Roseburg Branch, says Oregon Pacific Bank has been there for Douglas C.A.R.E.S., including helping the organization obtain a loan under the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Benham is a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager.

“It was nice to help them through the pandemic with the PPP loan, and of course we’re always looking out for them on their deposit needs and any other banking needs that they might have,” he says.

Sarah says the organization appreciates the bank’s assistance. “Oregon Pacific Bank really supports our mission,” she says. “I know that they back us 100%. Having our community support us means so much in the work that we do.”