NATCHEZ — On some of the darkest days of their lives, the Natchez Children’s Home shines a light for abused and neglected children.

Through the Natchez Children’s Home Services’ Children’s Advocacy Center, trained professionals interview children who have suffered physical, sexual or emotional abuse or who have witnessed a violent crime for the purposes of preparing cases for trial.

But when the interview ends, the work is not done, children’s home Executive Director Nancy Hungerford said.

The children’s home provides victim advocacy, trauma-focused therapy, family counseling and other follow-up services to avoid further trauma to the child, Hungerford said.

“It comes with empowering a child, so that this will not define them, and they are able to process it and not let it dominate them and how they think about the world,” she said.

The conviction rate for offenders has also risen since the opening of the advocacy center, Hungerford said.

“Even though we are not a part of law enforcement, it all starts here,” she said. “And there is some healing that comes with knowing there’s justice.”

Monetary donations to cover operations are what make it all possible, Hungerford said. Expenses include funding for therapists, maintenance of facilities and computer, audio recording and other equipment.

The children’s home will also be providing Christmas gifts for 50 families who have received its services, which will include more than 100 children, Hungerford said.

The children’s home is collecting items for children ages 3 to 18 over the five counties it serves — Adams, Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson and Wilkinson.

The children’s home will celebrate its 200th birthday in March 2016, a milestone Hungerford says is a testament to the community.

“I think the fact that we’re celebrating 200 years is a fabulous indication of the support we receive,” Hungerford said. “We depend on the private sector so much more than we depend on anything else. Natchez can applaud itself and the surrounding areas for being supporters of (the children’s home) and having kept the doors open all these years.”

Monetary donations can be mailed to Natchez Children’s Home Services at P.O. Box 2028, Natchez, MS, 39121 or made online at ntzchs.org.

Other donations can be dropped off at the home at 815 N. Union St. Call 601-442-6858 for more information.