The Cricket Center to open new satellite facility in Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY, Md.- The Cricket Center is set to open a new satellite facility in Pocomoke City thanks to $190,00 approved by the Worcester County Commissioners.

The cricket center was initially awarded funding back in 2021 for the construction of a larger space in Berlin that would be centrally located in the county. The nonprofit offers a variety of services which include forensic interviews and examinations for sexual assault incidents, a facility dog program, case management support, and trauma-focused therapy in partnership with the Life Crisis Center.

The nonprofit, which provides services to children impacted by abuse, says there’s a growing need in Pocomoke. Executive Director Lauren Cooper told us multiple entities, including the Worcester County Board of Education, reaching out regarding the growing presence of children been victims of abuse especially on social media platforms.

Cooper added that the new space will reduce the burden not just on caregivers but improve response times. “When we hear that there’s alleged abuse that’s occurring, our team can go right out to the school or home and check in. We can assess that immediate risk to make sure the child is safe and get those services in quicker, rather than if they were 30 miles away,” Cooper said.

Cooper said that they’ve also seen an increase in the number of reported child abuse cases, which means that people are talking about it and are reporting it.  

Cooper anticipates the center will offer limited services in the space by January. She added they hope to be in full service by April which is also National Child Abuse Awareness Month.