Privacy Policy

The Center for Whitley County Youth ("The Center," "we," "us," or "our")
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: June 24, 2026

The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the youth of Whitley County, Indiana. We respect the privacy of everyone who visits our website at https://www.thecenterwcy.com (the "Site"), supports our organization, or otherwise shares information with us. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and protect it, and the choices you have.

1. Scope of this Policy

This Policy applies to personal information we collect through the Site and through related online activities, such as online donations and contact forms. It also describes how we handle information you give us offline (for example, in person or by mail) where noted. This Policy does not apply to any third-party websites or services that we link to; those sites have their own privacy practices, and we encourage you to review them.

2. Information We Collect

Information you give us directly. We collect information you choose to provide, such as when you:

• Submit a contact form or message (typically your name, email address, phone number, and the contents of your message);
• Sign up for a newsletter or event;
• Make a donation or other payment online.

Donation and payment information. When you give online, payment is processed by our third-party giving provider, Kindful. We do not collect or store your full credit/debit card number or bank account number on our own systems. We receive limited transaction details (such as your name, contact information, donation amount, and date) so we can acknowledge your gift and keep accurate records for tax-receipting purposes.

Sensitive information. Some information you choose to share (for example, details you include in a message or form) may be personal or sensitive. We use this information only for the purpose for which you submitted it and limit access to staff and volunteers who need it.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our Site automatically collects certain technical information through cookies and similar technologies, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and the dates/times of visits. We may use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve it.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

A "cookie" is a small text file stored on your device that helps a website remember information about your visit. We use cookies to keep the Site functioning, remember your preferences, and measure Site traffic. You can refuse or delete cookies by changing your web browser settings; however, some parts of the Site may not work properly if you do. Most browsers also offer a "Do Not Track" setting (because there is no common industry standard for responding to these signals), our Site does not currently respond to them.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and other communications;
• Process and acknowledge donations and maintain accurate financial and tax records;
• Send newsletters, organization updates, or event information you have requested (you may opt out at any time);
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Site;
• Comply with applicable laws and protect the rights, safety, and property of The Center, the people we serve, and others.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only as follows:

• Service providers. With trusted vendors who perform services on our behalf (such as our giving processor, email/communications providers, and website host) under obligations to protect the information and use it only to provide those services.
• Legal and safety. When we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of any person.
• With your consent. In other situations where you have given us permission to share.

6. Data Security

We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against loss, theft, and unauthorized access, including encryption of sensitive information transmitted through the Site. We limit access to personal information to staff and volunteers with a legitimate need, store paper records securely, and train our team on protecting the privacy and security of personal information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy or as required for legitimate organizational, tax, accounting, or legal recordkeeping purposes, after which we securely delete or de-identify it.

8. Children's Privacy

The Center serves youth, including children under 13. However, this website is intended for adults (parents and guardians, donors, and volunteers) and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through the Site.

We do collect personal information about the children who participate in our programs (such as a child's name, age, and emergency or health contact details). That information is provided by the child's parent or guardian as part of program registration and enrollment (for example, on paper or parent-completed forms) and is not collected from children directly through this website.

Consistent with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), if we ever offer an online feature directed to children under 13, or otherwise collect personal information online from a child under 13, we will provide notice and obtain verifiable parental consent first.

Parents and guardians may review the personal information we hold about their child, request that we correct or delete it, and refuse to permit further collection or use, by contacting us using the information below. If you believe a child has provided us personal information through the Site, please contact us and we will delete it.

9. Your Choices and Rights

You may:

• Access or update the personal information you have given us;
• Opt out of newsletters or marketing emails using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us;
• Request deletion of personal information, subject to records we must retain by law.

Depending on where you live (for example, under the California Consumer Privacy Act or comparable laws), you may have additional rights to know, delete, or restrict the use of your personal information, and to be free from discrimination for exercising those rights. To make any request, contact us using the information below.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to other websites and services (such as our giving processor or partner organizations). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. This Policy applies only to information collected by The Center.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Site after an update means you accept the revised Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Policy or how we handle your information, contact us at:

The Center for Whitley County Youth
201 W Market St, Columbia City, IN 46725
Email: info@thecentercc.com
Phone: 260.248.4977