EDMONTON – Little Warriors has purchased a long-term treatment centre for victims of child sexual abuse.
“We got a call from an Edmonton family and a Calgary family; and between them both, they donated over $2.3 million,” said Glori Meldrum, founder and chair of Little Warriors, a national organization committed to the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.
“They were very upset the government won’t help us,” Meldrum added. She praised Wildrose MLAs for donating their latest government raises.
The “Be Brave Ranch” is being called the first of its kind in Canada. Up to 100 kids aged 10-14 will have a one-month stay at the ranch and successive year-long therapy each year. The program was developed locally at the U of A.
“We don’t know of any facility like this anywhere…so that makes it very unique and very exciting. And it’s great that Alberta gets to lead in this area,” said Peter Silverstone, a professor of psychiatry at the U of A.
The ranch is hidden on 40 acres of land in central Alberta and will serve as a getaway and treatment centre for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Little Warriors plans to open the facility in June 2014 for two years of trials.
“We’ve had a difficult road, but we built it. Everyday Albertans built it for little Albertans. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every person for your love and support. It means the world to me and to our little warriors,” said Meldrum.
WATCH: Gord Steinke sits down with Glori Meldrum
Money for a two-year treatment outcome program is still to be raised, but Meldrum knows they’ll get there.
“It’s unbelievable, you can’t stop a group of people that are doing things for the right reason from a place of love to help our most vulnerable.”
With files from Shane Jones, Global News