FBI Denver awards nonprofit that helps children overcome abuse – Denver Gazette

FBI Denver awards nonprofit that helps children overcome abuse  Denver Gazette

The FBI Denver awarded nonprofit Realities for Children the annual Director's Community Leadership Award. Craig Secher, the executive director of nonprofit Realities for Children, has attended graduations, weddings and birthdays for children his organization has assisted through cycles of abuse. On Monday, the FBI Denver awarded Secher’s nonprofit organization the annual Director’s Community Leadership Award. Realities for Children provides emergency and ongoing support for children in Northern Colorado who have been abused, neglected or are at risk. Its assistance includes emergency funding, youth activities and item distributions, according to its website. Last year, the organization helped 5,897 children in Larimer and Weld counties. The FBI created the DCLA in 1990 to honor people or organizations for outstanding service to the local community in advancement of justice, Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski said at an award ceremony Monday.

The two organizations have occasionally worked hand-in-hand in addressing cases of child exploitation and abuse, Koldjeski said. “Mr. Secher and Realities for Children are invaluable partners for the FBI in Northern Colorado,” Koldjeski said. “The FBI cannot do our work in a vacuum. We greatly value the assistance and support of individuals and organizations in the communities we serve.” Secher and his wife formed Realities for Children in 1995 after working in Child Protective Services and seeing a need for a