Child Sexual Abuse Prevention/Education

The Prevention & Education Team — myself, Tami, and Charlene — spent July and August reviewing our new elementary curriculum and shaping it into a strong, workable presentation format. Unfortunately, Charlene resigned due to mental and physical health challenges two weeks before school started, leaving just Tami and me to carry the workload for September, October, and November. At the same time, we were reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy. It was quite the balancing act!

September: A Lightning-Fast Start

The school year kicked off at full speed with 11 schools on our calendar.
Tami and I visited:

• 7 elementary schools
• 3 middle schools
• 1 high school

A total of 5,484 students received prevention education services in September.

October: Our Busiest Month + Bullying Awareness Month

October is always our most demanding month — and this year was no exception. In addition to non-stop school presentations, it was also Bullying Awareness Month, and we were determined to hire and train a new advocate.

After squeezing interviews between school visits, we welcomed our newest team member, Amy, who hit the ground running. Even while learning the curriculum and working toward facilitator certification, she jumped in with enthusiasm.

Together, P&E visited 13 schools:

• 7 elementary
• 6 middle schools

It was a whirlwind (honestly, I’m not sure I remember all of it!), but we reached 8,770 students in October.

November: A Slight Pause to Breathe

November slowed down just a bit with five schools and the Thanksgiving holiday week. Amy shadowed Tami and me, organizing her notes and building confidence with the curriculum.

We visited:

• 4 elementary schools
• 1 middle school

Altogether, 3,833 students received services in November.

December: A Short but Spirited Finish

December brought 7 schools —
6 elementary and 1 middle school — all packed into just three weeks instead of the usual four and a half.

One of our team members faced a family crisis during this time, and our newest staff member along with our intern, Akira, stepped up in big ways. Akira even presented their first classes solo and did an amazing job. They’ll continue to find their groove, but their willingness to rise to the challenge meant the world to me.

Looking Ahead

Teachers have responded very positively to our new curriculum, which is wonderful to hear. We’ve already scheduled 54 schools for the 2025–2026 academic year, with more requests coming in as word spreads.

A Grateful Heart

As we head into the holidays, I’m incredibly grateful for this little team of ours. We truly function like a family — showing up for each other through illness, crisis, and long days that require every ounce of teamwork and heart.

Thank you, Tami, Amy, and our intern Akira. I couldn’t do this without you.

And to our GlobalGiving donors:
Your support makes every single one of these school visits possible.
You help us reach thousands of children with safety education that can empower them, protect them, and change their lives.

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday season.

GlobalGiving Report — August 2025

Goodbye, Summer — Hello, Fall!

It was a short but intense summer filled with teaching, healing, learning, and bonding.

Our mighty team of two wrapped up the school year in late May and dove straight into summer work. One of us was recovering from shoulder surgery. Another tackled the whirlwind of hiring a new staff member. The third started a brand-new adventure. But through it all, we connected with each other—strengthening our bond through community outreach and learning a new curriculum.

All summer long, we led weekly in-house prevention education sessions for children visiting our agency. This 8-week series focused on safety rules, the difference between safe and unsafe secrets, and how to identify a safe adult. While successful, it was also emotionally heavy. Two children recognized us as safe adults and, through subtle cues, disclosed troubling behaviors—later confirmed in conversations with medical professionals. Moments like these remind us why this work is so crucial. Empowering children to speak up is life-changing—and often lifesaving.

June Highlights

• Attended Safe Kids Day outreach events in Lake and LaPorte Counties
• Trained summer camp counselors, many of whom work with children in both day and overnight camps
  (This session also led to a disclosure—proof that awareness training works.)

July Highlights

• Presented to staff who support individuals with disabilities
• Participated in the Indiana Prevention Education Coalition annual meeting in Indianapolis
  (It was inspiring to connect with partners across the state!)
• Supported families at the Geminus Family Picnic
• Engaged with families at the Porter County Safe Kids Day on the shores of Lake Michigan
• Began studying our new school curriculum – Monique Burr Foundation’s Child Safety Matters – just in time for fall!

August: Full Speed Ahead

• Presented to families at the local public library
• Continued intensive curriculum learning
• Began preparing for our return to the classroom on September 2nd

Meanwhile, our building is undergoing renovations and expansions—a sign of growth and continued commitment to serving our community.

While school presentations were on pause for summer, our work never stopped. We were out in the community, spreading awareness about child sexual abuse prevention, and introducing the idea to people from out-of-state who had never heard of this type of education. Our hope? That they’ll go home, talk to their local school systems, and help plant the seeds of prevention education where it’s needed most. Every child deserves safe adults in their lives.

As we head into a new school year, we’re filled with hope and determination—ready to present a new curriculum and connect with students. If we reach even one child who needs to hear “it’s okay to say no” or finds in us a safe adult they can trust, then we've done our job.

Thank you for being part of this work. Your contributions allow us to provide giveaways for families, prevention materials for students, and extras that make our programs impactful. We appreciate each and every one of you.

With gratitude,
The Prevention Education Team