TreeTop Center works to aid child victims of abuse, but not many people know about its work
Nonprofit aids victims of abuse in the 5th Judicial District
Amy Oliviera didn’t know how tough her job was going to be.
Oliviera, the executive director of the TreeTop Child Advocacy Center, came to the job after serving as a probation officer in the 5th Judicial District. She knew that TreeTop worked to help young victims of abuse who have landed in the legal system.
In a Tuesday work session with the Eagle County Board of Commissioners, Oliviera acknowledged that she cried after work most days during her first few months on the job.
That’s because TreeTop — in operation locally since 2018 — conducts forensic interviews of child victims of violence throughout the 5th Judicial District — Summit, Clear Creek, Lake and Eagle Counties. There’s a lot more of that violence than anyone wants to acknowledge. In 2023 alone, TreeTop handled 217 individual cases, with 18% of those cases coming from Eagle County.
The numbers are hard to look at.
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More than half of all victims were subject to sexual assault. Nearly two-thirds were female. Nearly half were between the ages of 7 and 12.
TreeTop does its work on a relative shoestring. The organization has just two full-time employees and relies on an active board, volunteers and contract help.
Making things worse, the organization since its inception in 2018 went through four directors before Oliviera took over. And, she told the commissioners, not many people know TreeTop exists.
Board member Dave Byrd is the finance director for the town of Breckenridge. He’s taken the same role with TreeTop. Byrd told the commissioners that the group is working to raise money and is seeking grants for 2025 and 2026, and has gone to town and county governments throughout the judicial district.
Oliviera added that the group has been “investing in connections” including seeking business sponsorships. The organization has also joined chambers of commerce. It has also participated in Child Abuse Prevention Month activities and is planning other events for next year. The group is also working with Colorado Gives Day, all to raise both money and awareness.
“We have an active board right now,” Byrd said, adding that’s essential with such a small staff.
Eagle County Human Services Director Megan Burch told the commissioners her department supports TreeTop’s work, adding that the organization’s new, mobile software system can help conduct interviews around the judicial district.
Commissioner Matt Scherr thanked Byrd and Oliviera for the work they and their team are doing and asked about other possible alternatives for funding the program.
Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney asked how the county could help raise awareness about both TreeTop and the reality of abuse. “We have to recognize that abuse happens,” she said.
