Child abuse will affect at least 1 in 10 kids in our community.
We need you on our team!
Your donation is needed now to ensure each family that walks through these doors can learn coping skills to overcome the depression, anxiety, and other debilitating symptoms of child abuse that can stay with victims their entire lives.
I want to share with you what Danielle is going through. She took her daughters to see Santa Claus last year at Stonebriar. When it was her oldest daughter Bella’s turn, Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas. “A night light” was her answer. Santa laughed, and so did Danielle, but she was puzzled. Why would Bella ask for a night light when she had been talking about a Barbie Dream House for weeks? She chalked it up to kids saying silly things.
Unfortunately, her daughter had a reason for asking for the night light. Bella was being abused at night by her stepfather, and she thought a night light would help keep her safe. Danielle’s daughters were not safe in their own home, and she had no idea.
Danielle and her daughters need your help. They need help not just with paying bills, but with coping with this betrayal. She didn’t realize it at the time, but shame and fear were ruling her daughter’s life. Bella’s attention in school was elsewhere, worrying about things no little girl should ever have to worry about. She got behind in reading, and didn’t want to play with her usual friend group. She still has nightmares.
Now, her mom is living with guilt and mistrust. “I had no idea this could happen to my family. I feel so ashamed and lost. Just getting through the day can be hard.” It has affected her work and her relationships with family and friends alike.
But I promise you what I promised Danielle: there is a solution.
You can help Danielle and her family cope with this trauma and learn skills to calm anxiety and negative thoughts.
Your support means Danielle’s family and families just like hers can process what happened and lessen the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, so they can get back to their lives.
You can provides mental health counseling that can decrease the symptoms of trauma with a gift today.
Intervening now is the best way to prevent some of the worst consequences of child abuse. Children like Bella are more likely to suffer into adulthood with anxiety and depression, and even experience physical health consequences, addiction, and lower earnings potential – all factors in the cycle of abuse. And did you know that child abuse victims are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide? But they are not doomed to these statistics.
By providing mental health services now, you can make sure kids like Bella learn healthy coping skills and achieve all they dream, instead of being trapped by their shame.
Don’t wait to make your gift – families need your help today.