A local advocacy agency in Marshalltown known as Child Abuse Prevention Services celebrated their 35th year of existence with a presentation at the Marshalltown Public Library. Executive Director Jana Enfield says the organization, founded in 1981 is all about creating Thriving Families and Thriving Communities. She says the agency has 17 staffers and took in over 18-thousand dollars in donations during its last fiscal year. Enfield says education is a big service provided to those in need, the agency made 1,816 home visits in the last years time. She says they provide a range of services from helping parents as teachers to helping with school readiness to connecting refugees with health services. Enfield says a new program providing migrant family services that has received grant funding will begin in January of next year.

Photo credit: The United Way of Marshall County