Clients, staff and friends of the Liberty Center for Survivors of Torture gathered Sunday night (Dec. 13) at Immanuel Lutheran, Lansdowne, to celebrate U.N. Human Rights Day and to close the Center after eight years of ministry.

The Center has been the region’s central resource for the restoration of torture survivors’ health, happiness and hope since 2001. It is closing because federal funding to continue its work was not awarded.

The closing celebration represented the eight years of accomplishments through the work of survivors, volunteers and donors, and collaboration with community churches and organizations to provide case management for survivors. One of the Center’s key achievements was promoting greater public awareness of the human rights and protection issues that impact survivors of torture.

The celebration featured a welcome from Dr. Denise Berte’, the Center’s director, and reflections from survivors, volunteers, advisory board members and friends. The Immanuel choir provided music.

The Liberty Center applied for funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services for next year, but was not awarded a grant, and so is unable to continue to serve survivors of torture. The Center was established in 2001 with a grant from HHS, which continued for six years. From 2006-2009, a combination of funding from Liberty Lutheran Services, Lutheran Children and Family Service, volunteers, grants and individual donations helped the center continue its mission.

With the support of Liberty Lutheran Services, the Center was able to create international partnerships to aid survivors in Liberia, Cameroon and Guatemala.

The Center continues to support immigrant children and adults through its immigrant children/youth program.

Photos by the Rev. Jesse Brown.