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Local nonprofit helps kids stay strong in scary places
UNION GROVE – For any adult that’s ever made a court appearance, it can be one of the most terrifying experiences in life.
For a child, it’s even worse.
Guardians of the Children – Belle City is a local nonprofit that assists abused and neglected children in Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties.
If summoned to testify, the adopted “littles” can breathe easier knowing they’ll enter the courtroom with their own entourage.
“They’re our heroes,” said Kelly “Siren” Stein, Guardians of the Children – Belle City Treasurer.
“A lot of the littles say the only reason they’re able to go up and talk about what happened to them is because we’re there. They can look up at us instead of the perpetrator.”
The nonprofit has nearly 20 members. You can often hear them coming long before they arrive on their Harley Davidsons, decked out in leather, tattoos and shades.
“We’re a very welcoming group,” said Gert “Neptune” Grohman, Guardians of the Children – Belle City President. “Only a couple of us are scary.”
The organization accompanies area children in the courtroom approximately 20 times a year, according to Grohman.
Grohman spent 10 years as a firefighter/EMT. He’s witnessed firsthand the effects abuse can have on a child.
“I saw a lot of things during that time that got me motivated to join the Guardians and give back,” Grohman said.
Stein shared her own story of how she was abused when she was three years old.
“I didn’t come out with that story until I joined the Guardians,” Stein said. “I held it in for 38 years.”
In support of Guardians of the Children – Belle City, Community State Bank’s Ellen Galvan recruited seven of her coworkers to help raise $920 for the organization through the bank’s eighth annual #Gift2Giving employee-driven donation campaign.
Joining Galvan were Carrie Hall, Monica Johnson, Barb Blazina, Kristi Koehn, Sherri Gorecki, Natalie Strasser and Lisa Galvan.
Guardians of the Children – Belle City is one of 16 area nonprofits chosen as a recipient of over $16,000 raised through the campaign.
Community State Bank gives each of its employees $150 to donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice. In addition to the bank-provided funds, Community State Bank matches any employee donation up to $150.
Since its 2018 inception, the campaign has distributed over $105,000 to dozens of nonprofits throughout Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.
To read more about Community State Bank’s #Gift2Giving campaign, visit www.csb.bank/gift2giving.