Diana Dibkey has helped the community of La Porte County for a large part of her life. With a major in psychology and a minor in business, Dibkey has helped raise child abuse awareness and prevention through working in Saint Joseph’s Prosecuting Attorney’s office and now being the Executive Director of Dunebrook.
Though Dunebrook is a non-profit organization, Dibkey and her staff have acquired a bond with the community which has strengthened them both. Volunteers dedicate their time to make sure all of Dunebrook’s needs are met either on site or at area events.
“Our board members are volunteers. We have different committees in which volunteers are involved with planning fundraisers like our golf outing. Many others dedicate their time around our facility. Our volunteers are very important to us and their community.”
Dibkey works closely with many agencies that assist Dunebrook and shape the organization to fit the needs of children and their families in need. The United Way, AmeriCorps, CAAT (Child Abuse Advisory Team), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Harmony House, Stepping Stone and the local health councils fully support what Dunebrook has done for those in Jasper, La Porte, Newton, Pulaski, Porter and Starke County.
“One child’s case sparked the need to do things differently through all the questioning he endured. The United Way made a survey concerning child abuse after this case and the community grew more concerned about children’s issues. That lead to a question of ‘What can we do about this? We’ve raised awareness, but we have to do something about preventing this and how we intervene.’”
In 1989, Dunebrook opened in Michigan City and since then has sincerely helped families make it through the hardest times and celebrate new milestones and improvement. Dibkey promises that communication is always open at any Dunebrook location between staff members and patients.
“We believe in advocating the children and supporting parents. The idea is that children and their families are comfortable to be here. We conduct forensic interviews with children who have been abused. We want them not to feel like the whole world is looking. We want them to feel like it’s private and comfortable here at Dunebrook.”
While touring the facility, Dibkey showed me the interview room and the area where the child is assessed. In the interview room, a team of highly important individuals gather around a table to watch the assessment take place via a hidden camera. Their goal is to make the process as painless for the child as possible instead of having five or more people asking him or her to retell his or her story.
Dibkey and her team at Dunebrook have improved the lives of many in La Porte County and continue to hold up their reputation as a place of comfort and hospitality. As stated before, families are welcomed here and classes are provided for those who wish to learn more about an array of subjects.
<p> Though Dunebrook is a non-profit organization, Dibkey and her staff have acquired a bond with the community which has strengthened them both. Volunteers dedicate their time to make sure all of Dunebrook’s needs are met either on site or at area events. </p>
<p> “Our board members are volunteers. We have different committees in which volunteers are involved with planning fundraisers like our golf outing. Many others dedicate their time around our facility. Our volunteers are very important to us and their community.” </p>
<p> Dibkey works closely with many agencies that assist Dunebrook and shape the organization to fit the needs of children and their families in need. The United Way, AmeriCorps, CAAT (Child Abuse Advisory Team), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Harmony House, Stepping Stone and the local health councils fully support what Dunebrook has done for those in Jasper, La Porte, Newton, Pulaski, Porter and Starke County. </p>
<p> “One child’s case sparked the need to do things differently through all the questioning he endured. The United Way made a survey concerning child abuse after this case and the community grew more concerned about children’s issues. That lead to a question of ‘What can we do about this? We’ve raised awareness, but we have to do something about preventing this and how we intervene.’” </p>
<p> In 1989, Dunebrook opened in Michigan City and since then has sincerely helped families make it through the hardest times and celebrate new milestones and improvement. Dibkey promises that communication is always open at any Dunebrook location between staff members and patients. </p>
<p> “We believe in advocating the children and supporting parents. The idea is that children and their families are comfortable to be here. We conduct forensic interviews with children who have been abused. We want them not to feel like the whole world is looking. We want them to feel like it’s private and comfortable here at Dunebrook.” </p>
<p> While touring the facility, Dibkey showed me the interview room and the area where the child is assessed. In the interview room, a team of highly important individuals gather around a table to watch the assessment take place via a hidden camera. Their goal is to make the process as painless for the child as possible instead of having five or more people asking to retell his or her story. </p>
<p> Dibkey and her team at Dunebrook have improved the lives of many in La Porte County and continue to hold up their reputation as a place of comfort and hospitality. As stated before, families are welcomed here and classes are provided for those who wish to learn more about an array of subjects. </p>