Adults Working and Advocating for Kids Empowerment Awake

Adults Working and Advocating for Kids’ Empowerment, a 501(c)3 private non-profit organization, grew from a dream of representatives from various Jackson County public agencies and private organizations in 1992. These people were concerned about the destruction of child abuse to children, families and the community. Taking child victims to multiple agencies for interviews often re-victimized the children. The unanimous concern for improving the system on behalf of the children led to the formal organization of AWAKE. AWAKE opened its doors at 563 W. Main Street, Sylva, in September 1993. Children’s Advocacy Centers are gaining a reputation as being one of the most effective and humane child abuse intervention and prevention programs in operation and serve as a model for other communities. In 2016, AWAKE moved to a handicap accessible location at 20 Colonial Square, Sylva.