Gas cards, court support, and safe adults: How Helping Hearts walks with
By Tracy Christopher on Friday, March 27th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
families
WALLOWA COUNTY –When most people think about child abuse services, they imagine courtrooms and interviews. At Helping Hearts Child Advocacy Center, a lot of the work looks much more everyday: gas cards, hygiene products, rides to appointments, and late-night phone calls.
Helping Hearts’ advocates are trained to support families with whatever needs arise, and any member of the team can step in to help. They assist with:
- Transportation barriers: gas assistance so families can get to court, medical exams, counseling, and appointments at the center.
- Basic needs: connecting families to food, resources, and other supports so they can focus on healing.
- Court support: showing up in court with caregivers and children so they don’t feel alone.
- Warm handoffs: personally connecting families with other agencies and making sure no one is left to navigate the system by themselves.
Ashley describes the heart of the work this way:
“The best part for me is the families. You walk into a room and kids are happy to see you, even though the way that you met them was on one of the hardest days of their lives. Just being that steady support for families—that’s my favorite part. When a family tells you that you made them feel heard, special and cared for it really reminds us of why organizations like Helping Hearts matters.”
One of the biggest gaps the team sees is access to childcare and safe respite. Some caregivers face difficult decisions when there are limited childcare options and the financial strain becomes overwhelming. They may feel pressured to allow an alleged perpetrator back into the home simply because there is no one else available to help. Helping Hearts is working with partners across the region to identify safer options and provide continued support for caregivers after a disclosure.
The team also pays attention to less obvious barriers, recognizing that support looks different for every child. Their work extends beyond those who have participated in a forensic interview, focusing instead on meeting kids wherever they are and helping them succeed in everyday life.
“Helping Hearts supports all kids with any need,” said Erin Taggart. “If we have a kiddo interested in dance, sports, or art, we have private donations to help cover the costs of classes or camps. Whether it’s basic needs, opportunities to get involved, or extra support along the way, we do what we can to make sure every child has what they need to thrive.”
From gas cards to courtrooms, the message is the same: no family should have to walk this road alone.
