Kansas Children's Service League: Budget cuts are preventing them from helping children

Staff at Kansas Children's Service League (KCSL) hear many heartbreaking stories.

"When I got out of the house and tried to speak to a five year old who was not very verbal but could tell me a little bit... I actually found out there was sexual abuse as well as physical abuse," said Director of Programs Gail Cozadd.

They shared those stories, Tuesday, to give community members in a glimpse of how KCSL impacts the community.

"I was working with parents who were more often than not the perpetrators of the most horrific acts of violence against their children that you would dare to let yourself imagine," said KCSL President Dona Booe.

Since 2012, KCSL's funding from various government sources to prevent child abuse, support families in need, and help children find adoptive parents has gone down more than $2 million.

Booe says, this year, that means more than 30 Kansas children in need will not get services, which can cost the community.

"When we fail to reach a child early we really are not saving any money that $6,500 a year that we save by not providing services to them is costing us, over their lifetime, $210,000," said Booe.

A number that raised a red flag with community leaders in attendance.

"As we're trying to raise the tide in this community, I think it's important that we stay focused on making sure that those in need that we are trying to raise their economic prosperity as well," said CEO of Topeka Go Matt Pivarnik.

KCSL is trying to raise more than half a million dollars to meet its 2016 budget. If you would like to donate you can go to

.