"I'm here to help them heal and work through whatever trauma it is so when want to create an atmosphere where it's comfortable, where they can be a kid," says Debbie Chambers, a therapist at CARE Cottage in Forsyth.
Chambers treats victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and assault.
For more than 20 years, the CARE Cottage gives victims a place to heal. Therapists didn't have offices or waiting areas before, but after receiving a federal grant for $20,000, they made renovations to create a warm and inviting environment.
"What we don't want them to do is feel uncomfortable because they've felt uncomfortable enough," says Chambers.
And of course, Debbie couldn't do her job without her furry assistant, Grace.
"Grace is just a wonderful work of the Lord. She has this great instinct that when somebody gets upset, a child gets upset, she'll get up and put her head in their lap or out her paw on their leg. Grace just has a way to make them feel better. "
The CARE Cottage sees about 400 to 500 clients a year and their visits are free. With the new private office, Chambers and her pal Gracie can help clients open up more.
"So if it's us being silly, and getting our emoji ball out, or playing with Play-Doh and making all these different shapes, or playing tug of war with Grace, we want to create that atmosphere where they feel safe, and it's a good place to come, and then after awhile they feel comfortable enough to say, 'I really hurt, and this is why.'"
Chambers says this grant is a true blessing. "I'm very thankful. Just a heart of gratitude, and just to know what's going to come down the road for our community, kinda gets me excited."
The CARE Cottage says they want to look at applying for other grants in the future to improve their facility even more.