Meet Sidney. Sidney is 12 and loves to read, hang out with her friends, and draw. She dreams of being an art teacher and exploring new places.
One day at school, Sidney worked up the courage to tell a teacher about something scary that happened. Sidney disclosed that her uncle had sexually abused her. Her teacher, a mandated reporter, contacted law enforcement, and Sidney was brought to Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center for help.
When children experience trauma, it can cause lifelong damage if there’s no appropriate and timely intervention. Depression, substance abuse, and difficulty building healthy relationships are just a few problems they could face. The good news is those outcomes aren’t inevitable because healing is possible.
With the proper support, children who have experienced abuse or other violence can go on to have happy, healthy lives! In an average year, Safe Shores works with more than 1,000 children and their families who have experienced abuse or witnessed violence. Like Sidney, all children need adults in their lives who support their healing.
By giving to Safe Shores, you help provide access to vital resources — and therefore healthier futures — for child victims in our community. Community support from caring individuals like you is essential to making Safe Shores’ work possible. From ensuring that children receive specialized mental health therapy for free — for as long as they need — to teaching adults in the community how to prevent child abuse, and covering a family’s basic needs after a traumatic event, financial support from the community has a meaningful impact on the lives of child victims of abuse.
Thank you for considering including Safe Shores in your annual charitable giving. Here’s to working in community in 2024 to foster an equitable, just, and caring world where children and families are safe and free from all forms of violence. Best wishes for the new year!
