Thousands of Iowans file for divorce every year, but there’s little help for the children of those couples. A non-profit known as Kids First Law Center in Cedar Rapids is believed to be the only organization in Iowa providing support for such children, who often experience a wide range of emotions – such as fear, anger, and confusion. Kids First relies solely on donations and grants.
Executive director Jenny Schulz says an annual fundraiser being held tonight is critical to supporting her group’s mission. “The money that we get from the auction is really critical to the support we provide for kids because we don’t get any state or federal funding,” Schulz said. “We rely heavily on local support from individuals and corporations.”
The fundraiser is free to attend, but people are encouraged to bid big on any one of 60 live and silent auction items. Last year, the auction raised about $20,000 — which is less than 10-percent of the organization’s budget. Kids First provides court mandated educational workshops to every child of divorce in Linn County — about 400 a year. They also represent kids in highly contentious divorce cases. Schulz founded Kids First in 2005.
(Reporting by Heather Hubbs, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids)