Kids Talk

Today we were finally able to get inside Kids Talk and see the damage for ourselves.

It is devastating.

Seeing the place we have worked so hard to create for children and families in this condition is heartbreaking. This building has been so much more than walls and furniture. It has been a safe place for thousands of children during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

100% of our furniture is ruined. The majority of our supplies are gone. Both refrigerators are destroyed. As we continue going through everything, we are realizing just how much we have lost.

The photos are difficult to look at, but we want our community to understand the reality of what we are facing.

We are heartbroken, but we are not defeated.

We will rebuild.

And while we rebuild, Kids Talk will continue serving children and families thanks to the incredible partners who have stepped up to provide temporary spaces for us.

So many of you have reached out asking how you can help. We cannot begin to tell you what that means to our team. We are working now to determine exactly what we need, what can be replaced and what recovery will require. We will be sharing specific ways to help very soon.

There is a lot of work ahead of us, but one thing hasn’t changed: children in our community still need Kids Talk.

And we will be here for them.

Thank you for caring about this place, our team and, most importantly, the children and families we serve.

A message from Kids Talk Director Denise Valdez:

The flood may have temporarily taken away our building, but it will not stop Kids Talk from serving children and families.

While we are still unable to safely access our building and assess the full extent of the damage, our community partners immediately stepped up to make sure our services can continue.

We are incredibly grateful to the Elwood Police Department and Alexandria Police Department, who quickly offered space and are working to create child-friendly environments where our team can continue providing services during the recovery process. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department is also providing space to help ensure children and families have somewhere safe to go when they need us.

This is what partnership looks like, and we can’t thank them enough.

I also can’t say enough about our Kids Talk team. Yesterday, in the middle of uncertainty and a lot of emotions, they worked tirelessly to develop both a service continuity plan and a recovery plan. Their focus never wavered from the children and families who depend on us. I am incredibly proud of this team and grateful for their commitment to making sure our services continue, even when our usual space cannot.

We have also been overwhelmed by the number of people who have reached out asking, “How can we help?”

Right now, we simply don’t have that answer. Until we are able to safely get inside our building and fully assess the damage, we won’t know exactly what our needs will be.

But we promise we will share them when we do.

For now, please stay tuned for updates as we learn more about the damage, our recovery and ways our community can help.

Most importantly, know this: Kids Talk is still here. We are still serving children. And we are incredibly grateful for a community that is making sure we can continue to do so.

Photo credit to Jeff Watts

We know that many of our neighbors are facing unimaginable losses right now, and our hearts are with every family affected by the flooding. Kids Talk was also significantly impacted. We are working to assess the damage and determine what it will take to restore our space and continue serving children and families. We will share more in the coming days about our needs and ways our community can help. Thank you to our first responders who are working hard for the safety of all of us and especially our law enforcement partners who are keeping us updated about our facility.

💙 A huge THANK YOU to Central Community Chapel for your incredibly generous donation to Kids Talk Child Advocacy Center! 💙

We are so grateful for the thoughtful collection of comfort items, activities, snacks, and supplies that will help bring moments of peace, distraction, and comfort to children walking through some very difficult circumstances. Every coloring book, stuffed animal, snack, and activity matters more than you know.

Your kindness reminds our children that their community cares deeply about them — and that healing can begin with even the smallest acts of compassion.

And judging by the look on his face, Slater, our facility dog, would like everyone to know he fully approves of the donations… especially anything that might come with snack potential. 🐾💙 He’s pretty sure emotional support work is best done with a full belly and extra stuffed animals nearby.

Thank you, Central Community Chapel, for helping us care for kids in Madison County. Your generosity will make a difference. 💙

Enjoy this story about our facility dog and his brother 💙🐾

When conversations about child abuse happen, the focus often goes in a very specific direction.

It shapes how people respond, sometimes without even realizing it.

We're asking a simple question today. Check our Stories and share your thoughts.

April may be over - but this conversation isn't. Child Abuse Prevention Month brings awareness each year. But awareness alone isn't enough.

What happens after the posts, the ribbons, and the reminders matters just as much. Because for children, the impact doesn't end when the month does.

In the coming weeks, we're inviting our community into a different kind of conversation - one where your voice matters.

Keep an eye on our Stories. We'll be asking some simple but important questions.

Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done and the vital role programs like Aspire's Kids Talk play in making our community safer and stronger. 💙🩵💙

Kids Talk staff works to create safe spaces for open discussion and healing ... and the Kids Talk facility dog, Slater, is a big part of helping and healing as well! 🐾🐶

We ask for your support to ensure the Kids Talk program can continue its crucial mission.

Won't you please consider making a donation today? 🥰

👉Give here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/mVVPhQ?vid=1q5159

Every dollar directly supports a child's safety and wellbeing. You are appreciated more than you know! 💗🫶

Congratulations to Kids Talk, the recipient of this year's Women in Philanthropy Grant from the Madison County Community Foundation! 🎉🥳💙

“We feel honored,” said Denise Valdez, director of Kids Talk. “There are a lot of great organizations doing work in this community, and we were among two other great organizations who were finalists, so we feel very honored.”

The Women in Philanthropy Luncheon brings women together to support programs that benefit women and children in Madison County. 💗

Read more here: https://ow.ly/gQs350YLf9B