High Stakes for Healing: Casino night to benefit child abuse victims in Utah

The Utah County Children’s Justice Center is a government resource center that provides counseling, medical exams, and legal advocacy for children who are victims of crime including domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.

“We provide a safe and neutral environment where that child can be interviewed by trained forensic interviewers,” Heather Allen, the center’s associate director, said. “We’re getting them things like therapy [too].”

Now, the center aims to raise money through a fund raiser in order to make their services free. “High Stakes for Healing” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Belvedere in Provo. Tucanos will be providing food for the event.

The evening will entail food, music, prizes, and “risk-free casino game play.” Participants are encouraged to “dress to impress.”

“It’s risk free so you’re not actually spending or losing any money,” Allen said. “You get chips with your entry ticket.”

The Utah County CJC says the event has a $50 entry fee, with proceeds going to support a safe, child-friendly environment where young victims of abuse can receive the resources they need.

“We really appreciate and rely on the support of the community,” Allen told ABC4. “That’s wonderful that they haven’t had to come here, at the same time we are trying to raise awareness to take away the stigma and fear of what the next steps look like… when abuse is reported.”

Beyond therapy and free medical exams, the center provides free legal advice on certain cases like family, tenant, and elder law. Immigrant legal services are also available on the first, second, and third Tuesdays each month.

For more information on the casino night, visit Utah County CJC’s website.