University News

Western Social Work Student Helps Plan Benefit Concert

February 14, 2006

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MACOMB, IL - Cathy Rigg (Industry, IL) is one of many nontraditional students at Western Illinois University making her mark on the community in a big way. After raising a family and working for 23 years at the Rushville (IL) and Industry post offices, she decided to go back to school and has been a fulltime student for the past four years.

As a social work major, Rigg is required to complete a 15-week practicum to receive her degree. She chose to do her practicum with the Knox County Child Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit organization that covers five counties: Knox, Warren, Henderson, Fulton and McDonough, with satellite offices in Macomb and Galesburg.

The Knox County Child Advocacy Center helps children who are the victims of physical or sexual assault and abuse by conducting forensic interviews to record their stories. These interviews are used as evidence in court cases and serve to reduce trauma to the child. The local offices are set up as a child-friendly environment where children can feel comfortable telling investigators about what happened to them.

Rigg’s responsibilities include coordinating information and setting up the interviews, researching for court cases, filing information and helping with computer programs.

“I have a passion for where I’m at and what I’m doing. I originally did not want to work in this area, but now I’m feeling empowered. I try to stay focused on the fact that we can’t take back what happened to these children, but we can help get justice for them,” she said.

As part of her practicum, Rigg is also helping to organize and promote a benefit concert featuring Collin Raye, the 2000 Academy of Country Music male vocalist of the year. This is the third year that Raye has participated in the event as part of “National Child Abuse Prevention Month.”

The concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at the Orpheum Theater in Galesburg. To purchase tickets -- $28 and $38 -- call 309/342-2299, visit www.TheOrpheum.org or stop by the Orpheum Theatre Box Office, 57 South Kellogg Street in Galesburg.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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