Carl Perkins Center celebrates 40 years, honored by state reps
The Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and was honored by a proclamation Friday morning by State Representatives Ron Gant and Chris Todd.
The proclamation, presented to a roundtable of representatives from Carl Perkins Centers across West Tennessee, was to express the state’s “appreciation for the services (the center does), and honor it.”
The document was signed by Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Governor Bill Lee and Gant.
“We’re honored by the work y’all do and we’re honored to present this to you all today,” Gant said, standing with Todd beside the center’s Vice President, Delaine Bottoms.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to recognize this venerable organization dedicated to serving Tennessee’s children,” Todd said, reading the proclamation aloud to the gathered group.
The organization has offices in in Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Tipton, and Weakley County, and between 2020 and 2021 served over 2000 families in West Tennessee.
“I’m going to put this in a frame and keep it forever,” Bottoms said. “We’ve made it 40 years!”
Bottoms, who has been with the organization since 1987, has seen it grow across the region—and has seen the tremendous impact it has had.
“It's an honor and a privilege to serve here,” she said. “We’re just overwhelmed by the support we get from the community. We will continue for 40 more years, then 40 more after that! Until we aren’t needed anymore.”
Gant encouraged local residents to reach out and help the Center in “any way they can.”
“I would encourage people—if this pulled at your heartstrings—please reach our to your local Carl Perkins Center,” he said. “We’d love to have the support.
“Until you get involved, and you really see and hear the stories of how children are abused, it really takes on a whole new perspective of how important these centers are.”
Todd agreed. “We’re always glad to do anything we can do to support you all,” he said to Bottoms.
“What you guys do is the true definition of community service,” Gant added. “People don’t understand the impact this organization has until they’re in it. You all are a godsend.”
Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Carl Perkins Center celebrates 40 years, honored by state reps
