"Our Precious Children" (St. Louis, MO") - A Small Group of People Can Change The World

From The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter:

"Our Precious Children"
The Jewish Community of St. Louis is A Role Model
By Vicki Polin
The Awareness Center, Inc.
August 30, 2007

Something good can come out of a horrendous criminal act. The hope of The Awareness Center is that by reading about "Our Precious Children," other communities will also be inspired to create a program like this.

Recently the case of David Kramer broke in the St. Louis Jewish community. He was originally arrested and charged with exposing himself to a little boy in his apartment. At the time Kramer was a volunteer youth leader at Nusach Hari B'Nai Zion Synagogue (St. Louis, MO). Since then another arrest warrant was issued for David Kramer, this time the charges include sodomy.

Unfortunately, as in many communities there was a large group who rallied behind the alleged offender -- raising money to pay his bond and to help his family. Unfortunately, like in most communities there was very little support for the child survivor or the family. That is until a small group of people got together and started brainstorming.

The group was outraged at what was happening and wanted to make a difference. The answer was to create "Our Precious Children" -- a new organization and fund to help local sexually abused children in the St. Louis Jewish community.

"Our Precious Children" is sort of similar to the "Make A Wish Foundation" only this one is for Jewish sexually abuse children. Their primary goal is to help meet some of the financial needs sexually abused children and their family members. This includes helping to cover the costs of rape counseling or small things such as purchasing an IPOD for the child.

To learn more about them go to: http://ourpreciouschildren.com/

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FYI: Rabbi Ze'ev Smason is an orthodox rabbi who understands the issues of survivors of sexual violence (child sexual abuse/assault). If you are a survivor living in the St. Louis area and would like to talk to a rabbi, he's a great choice. He can be reached at: 314-991-2100 or via e-mail: Pepshort613@ sbcglobal.net