TEDI BEAR Center comforts kids
For over 20 years, The Tender Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention for a Better Abuse Response (TEDI BEAR) Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville, NC, has provided a full spectrum of assessment, treatment, education, and prevention for children involved in abuse or neglect. One of the center’s missions is to provide a comforting stuffed animal to every child.
The Rose Student Government Association (SGA) and the center have partnered ever since SGA Advisor Luisa Haynes was introduced to the center when she first moved to Greenville.
“Her name was Sayward Darby. I remember Sayward telling me about it [the center], and I went and toured it,” Haynes said. “I've just been really impressed with the program, It's a little-known organization.”
photo by Webb Evans
The center values their mission of providing a space for kids who have been abused or neglected to feel safe and welcome.
“We want them to come here and have a safe place to talk about what's happened to them,” Multi-Disciplinary Coordinator Amy Butcher said.
Every year, Rose holds a drive in support of the TEDI BEAR center. This drive helps the center achieve its mission of providing a comforting stuffed animal to every child.
“The first thing they do is they let the children go in and pick out a friend, a teddy bear,” Haynes said.
Each and every year, the center receives a great number of teddy bears from SGA, leading to the continued support given to the children by the teddy bears.
“And I think that it would be pretty detrimental to the work that we do if we didn't have something to give these kids at the end of these appointments.”
Haynes believes that between the TEDI BEAR center and SGA, kids will continue to be positively impacted.
“[The center] serves those that need the help and the love the most,” Haynes said.
Haynes believes if the teddy bear is brand new or gently used, the center and Rose SGA greatly appreciate the love and support shown through donations.
“I encourage anybody that has teddy bears to bring them,” Haynes said. “We're always happy to help.”