T
raumatic events can
happen in anyone’s life
and often counseling is
the best way for a person to move
on.
As trauma happens regardless
of age, the need for counseling
also has no age limits. The
problem is that children cannot
pay for their own and often,
neither can their parents or
guardian, said Debbie Ryva,
director of development for
FamilyCore in Peoria.
“
The largest part of what we
do is child welfare and children
often need or can benefit from
counseling. Or the family needs
it. But it takes money and we
don’t always get enough in
grants to meet all our needs,”
Ryva said.
That is why FamilyCore,
formerly known as Counseling
and Family Services, is hosting
its annual fundraising run, the
Frosty 5K, on Jan. 26 on Peoria’s
riverfront. Registration will begin
at 8 a.m. at FamilyCore’s main
office at 330 SWWashington St.,
and the race will begin at 9 a.m.
A post-race event, including an
awards ceremony, will be held at
the Gateway Building.
Entry fees are $25 in advance
and $30 on the day of the race,
while families of three or more
would pay $45. Walkers will pay
$22.
Early packet pickup is available
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan.
25
at Running Central, 4450 N.
Prospect Road in Peoria Heights.
All proceeds, Ryva said, will
be used for FamilyCore client
services.
FamilyCore, which has three
central Illinois offices and 55
employees, gets funding from
several sources, including various
United Way agencies, and is able
to offer counseling on a sliding
scale, depending on income and
ability to pay.
But Ryva explained grants are
used to make up the difference.
“
The typical private counseling
session is $120 per half hour.
Some of our clients qualify to pay
as little as $5 of their own,” she
said.
This is the 14th consecutive
year for the Frosty 5K, which
Ryva said typically draws a
couple hundred runners or
walkers, depending on weather.
The course for the race starts near
the foot of Main Street and goes
along the riverfront to just past
Detweiller Marina, then back.
The Illinois Valley Striders
running club assists FamilyCore
in staging the event. Chief
sponsor of the Frosty 5K is
American Family Insurance.
Other sponsors include CEFCU,
Smith Drug and Kuhl and Co.
“
It’s an enjoyable event and it
gets pretty competitive,” Ryva
said.
BUNDLE UP AND
RUN TO HELP
FAMILIES
FamilyCore’s Frosty 5K
scheduled for Jan. 26
By Paul Gordon
Not For Profit
62
thePeorian.com
