We will create a fully accessible, child-safe playground at the Yolanda House Domestic Violence Shelter. Play and other outdoor activities help children overcome the trauma of violence and heal.
Research documents that children who experience domestic violence show more anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, anger and temperament problems. The trauma they expereince can manifest in emotional, behavioral, social and physical problems. A child's exposure to domestic violence is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
Play and physical activities are the 'work' of childhood. By providing a safe place for play that is accessible to all children, we can help children find their own path to healing as they have fun and build new supportive relationships.
Last year, 145 women and children were sheltered at Yolanda House (49% were children). Yolanda House offers emergency shelter in a home-like environment as well as access to a broad range of service to foster healing and independence.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Excel file (projdoc.xls).
