Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club supports fight against child exploitation

The Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club conducted a virtual check presentation ceremony to give $10,000 to its 2020 charity partner, Reclaim13.

Based in Downers Grove and Lombard, Reclaim13 is a nonprofit organization that works to end child exploitation by operating a residential care center for adolescents who have been abused or exploited and by offering prevention education programs.

Colleen Schaefer, president of the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club, said in a news release the organization made the donation because members are "very impressed with the work that Reclaim13 is doing locally to end the cycle of sexual exploitation."

Cassandra Ma, executive director of Reclaim13, said the donation will help as Reclaim13 works to open a young adult home to help sexually exploited children who are transitioning into adulthood. The program will include trauma-informed therapy, vocational and life skills development and opportunities for education in an environment that provides young adults their own living space. For details about the young adult program, visit www.reclaim13.org/young-adult-program.