“This is the most professionally run and organized charity I have ever been involved with. Emma’s House provides forensic interviews, medical exams, crisis intervention, counseling and victims advocacy for children sexually abused or neglected. They also provide community outreach and education. All services are provided at no cost to the families,” tells Tina Coleman, Regional Owner of EXIT Realty Montana about why she chose to support this organization with the Spirit of EXIT initiative.
Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center is a facility-based program where children begin healing from the trauma of abuse and neglect. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model minimizes the trauma to the child by eliminating the need for multiple interviews and providing a warm child friendly home setting.
Tina joined the Emma’s House Board of Directors in January of 2024. At the Strategic Planning Meeting held in June she became aware of the difficulty in planning for the future when funding is primarily based on grants. She also discovered that Emma’s House has a small Endowment Fund which, if large enough, could provide a stable source of funding.
Tina teamed up with April Martz, owner of Bar4Bar Furnishings and Big Sky Cigar Company and was responsible for the live auction at the Emma’s House Annual Gala. All proceeds from those items went directly to the Emma’s House Endowment Fund. She also conducted an online social media campaign in which folks could make a donation and designate the Endowment Fund as the beneficiary.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. Tina hoped to raise $3,000, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, however she was able to raise $4,340, for a total donation of $7,340 to Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center.
“Please let this serve as verification of funds received and a resounding measure of appreciation towards the grant application submitted by Tina Coleman of EXIT Realty Montana/Idaho. We could not be more delighted with her commitment to our mission and fundraising efforts,” said Valerie Widmer, Executive Director, Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center.
