By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA – Owens House, the Shelby County children’s advocacy center, recently received several grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

The grants include approximately $77,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, $28,000 from Shelby County Schools, $10,000 from the National Children’s Alliance and $7,200 from the Shelby County Commission.

Executive Director Cindy Greer said the grants will help the non-profit organization serve the county over the next year.

“It means we can continue to serve victims of child abuse and to provide education and prevention services to the community,” she said.

The funds donated by the Shelby County School System are used for prevention programs for at-risk students in the county schools. Greer said those funds increased by 40 percent this year.

“Last year, we were able to see 7,633 students,” she said.

The grant from commission is used to pay for utilities, and the county also provides free lawncare for Owens House.

Greer said the organization has partnered with several new groups this year.”

The Shelby County Fraternal Order of Police sponsored a golf tournament that raised about $3,000. Safelite Autoglass, a Birmingham-based company, chose Owens House as the organization it will support through philanthropic projects during the year.

Owens House also received $33,000 as a United Way Special Project. The organization applied to become a full partner this year and will find out the United Way’s decision in December.

Owens House will host a holiday open house for the public Friday, Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m.

For more information about Owens House and its services, visit Owenshousecac.org.