$1 million gift to help center for children

Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 11:30 a.m.

A nonprofit organization formed in response to the state's closing of the Southern Nevada Children's Home in 1997 is donating $1.1 million toward the construction of a new facility for a team of sexual abuse investigators.

Children's Advocacy Alliance raised the money through foundation grants and contributions from local businesses and individuals.

The money will be used to help fund the construction of a Children's Advocacy Center on Clark County's Child Haven campus.

The center will be home to the county's Sexual Abuse Investigative Team (SAINT) program, as well as related child welfare programs.

Officials said the facility will help expand SAINT programs, providing space and resources to investigate sexual abuse cases and treat young victims in a child-friendly environment.

The Children's Advocacy Alliance, a fund of the Nevada Community Foundation, is dedicated to improving services for abused and neglected children in Clark County and the state of Nevada.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the Children's Advocacy Alliance has taken up the cause of this much-needed facility," said Kirby Burgess, director of the Clark County Department of Family and Youth Services.

The Children's Advocacy Center will be constructed as part of the master plan for the campus of the Department of Family and Youth Services.

The Children's Advocacy Alliance was formed after state budget cuts forced the controversial closing of the Southern Nevada Children's Home where thousands of children had been raised since it was created in 1969.