Vanessa’s Promise Benefit Breakfast raises funds to keep kids safe

The Spokane community helped raise more than $45,000 in gifts to the Crisis Nursery at the Vanessa’s Promise Benefit Breakfast on June 8.

Because the Crisis Nursery is funded entirely through private donations, the success of the breakfast will help VBCN keep thousands of children safe this year.

More than 300 guests were in attendance to share in this special event and witness the emotional testimony about some of the children and families who have found help and support at the Crisis Nursery.  One such person, Cylee LaBrecque, a 19-year old Crisis Nursery alumnus, graciously shared her emotional life story growing up in a home of abuse and neglect. She reflected on her time at VBCN sharing that the Crisis Nursery was the only memories she had of a happy childhood. *(Pictured right getting an emotional hug from VBCN Executive Director, Amy Swanson)

After Cylee’s story Amy Swanson, VBCN Executive Director shared with our supporters the fact that the Crisis Nursery is very unique in that we are 100% prevention based.

“We want and encourage our families to reach out and ask for help before the stress in their life provokes them to react and do something that they will regret. We understand how critical early intervention is and what the consequences are if a community does not invest and intervene in the first five years.” Supporters were then invited to view a short video produced by the Ounce of Prevention Fund called “Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything.”  

This year’s breakfast was made possible with generous support from event sponsors STCU and TuneTech. In addition, we would like to thank the following for their support: A to Z Rental, Alegria, ALSCO, Cheryl Branz, KHQ, Inland Audio Visual, Northwest Floral, Olive Villelli-LaPlante, Spokane County Conservation District, The Ounce of Prevention Fund, and True Light Photography.