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Children & Youth Program
Children and teens may experience or witness emotional, physical, psychological, sexual, or verbal abuse—all of which can have lasting effects. Our Children & Youth Program helps young people process those experiences while also learning practical, age-appropriate skills to stay safe in their daily environments, cope with trauma, express their thoughts and feelings in healthy ways, build self-confidence, form strong social connections, and develop healthy relationships. We also work to strengthen the bond between children and their protective parents. Through this work, we aim to interrupt the generational cycle of abuse caused by domestic and sexual violence.
Family-Focused Programming
We believe that you, the protective parent, are the strongest advocate for your child. While our youth advocates bring years of experience and insight from working with hundreds of young people each year, you are the one who ultimately decides what’s best for your child. Our role is to help you understand how domestic and sexual violence can impact both you and your child, so you can make informed choices that support your family’s healing and future.
Advocacy & Support Services
Every child responds to trauma differently, and your child deserves support that’s thoughtful, personalized, and rooted in compassion. When you come to us for help, we take time to understand your family’s unique circumstances, listen to your concerns, and create a plan that reflects your child’s specific needs. Whether your child needs emotional support, legal advocacy, or opportunities to engage in joyful, age-appropriate activities, we’re here to walk alongside you—offering care, resources, and reassurance every step of the way.
Safety Planning
Safety planning helps your child manage the fear and uncertainty that often come with having lived with—or continuing to spend time with—an abusive parent. We also work with you to create a safety plan that supports your entire family. This includes partnering with local schools, Child Protective Services, and other community organizations to help ensure you have access to the resources and support systems your family may need.
One-on-One Advocacy
One-on-one advocacy gives your child the chance to connect with a youth advocate in a space that feels safe, calm, and free from judgment. These conversations support your child’s healing by reinforcing that they are never to blame for the harm they’ve experienced. Together, they’ll work on building skills that promote resilience—like managing emotions, navigating conflict in healthy ways, and expressing themselves with confidence.
Support Groups
We offer a number of weekly support groups in which young people can explore healthy ways to express themselves, while also learning skills to help them manage stress, set limits, and build confidence.
Legal Advocacy
We provide a range of services to help protective parents navigate the legal system, including assistance with custody and placement concerns and accompaniment to criminal and civil court proceedings.
Interpreter Service
Language should never be a barrier to support. We offer interpreter assistance in several languages—including Spanish and Hmong—so all young people can express their needs and feel heard and supported.
Fun Activities
We place a priority on planning fun, engaging activities throughout the year to help shift your child’s focus away from the trauma they’ve experienced so they can get back to the business of being a kid.
