This month, YouthZone is excited to invite you to a free educational event co-hosted by our community partners. Join us at the 3rd St. Center in Carbondale on Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training, an evidence-based, award-winning program that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
The training, co-hosted by YouthZone, Buddy Program, Aspen Youth Center, River Bridge, and Aspen Family Connections, teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce child sexual abuse in their communities. The event will kick off with a complimentary dinner, providing an opportunity for attendees to network and connect with community members and leaders. Childcare will be provided throughout the training, ensuring parents can participate fully. Simultaneous translation in English and Spanish will be available, and workbooks in both languages will be provided.
Last year, YouthZone served more than 500 juvenile clients, the majority of whom were referred by local courts after allegedly committing crimes. Our process starts when our dedicated, hard-working, and highly qualified youth advocates conduct a comprehensive, two-generational youth and family assessment. Last year, 11% of our youth clients disclosed during assessments that they had been forced to have sexual contact at some point in their lives. These numbers are likely higher, considering nearly 70% of sexual abuse instances go unreported.
Child sexual abuse makes our communities less safe. According to the National Institute of Justice, exposure to traumatic experiences during childhood increases the likelihood that victims will commit crimes later in life. Left untreated, the trauma associated with sexual abuse can pass from one generation to the next, negatively affecting the health of our communities for years to come.
YouthZone is committed to fostering hopeful youth, strong families, and safe communities, which is why one of the many services we provide is therapy. Last year, we contracted with six local mental health practitioners to deliver more than 100 hours of specialized therapy to youth and families in our programs. These sessions, valued at over $12,000, were provided at no cost to our clients. By developing standing contracts with local providers, YouthZone ensures critical services are available when needed, rather than relying on insurance or waiting for weeks until a therapist becomes available.
In addition to therapy, we provide substance use education classes, where clients learn how traumatic childhood experiences, like sexual assault, can influence decisions to use drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms.
We also work closely with various government organizations, including the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Crime Victim Compensation program and the Departments of Human Services in Garfield, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, and Eagle counties. By partnering with these organizations, we ensure that a qualified multidisciplinary team of professionals serves victims of child sexual abuse, and that we have the funds to offset the costs of these services.
Finally, we collaborate with other nonprofits to strengthen our community network and enhance our ability to provide holistic support to families and youth. The Buddy Program, for instance, offers mentoring services that complement YouthZone’s initiatives, while Aspen Youth Center provides a safe and supportive environment for young people to engage in positive activities. River Bridge and Aspen Family Connections bring additional expertise in trauma-informed care and family support, making our collective efforts more impactful.
That’s why YouthZone is proud to co-sponsor next month’s Darkness to Light Stewards of Children® training with these amazing organizations. Local statistics show a pressing need for increased awareness and proactive measures to prevent child sexual abuse. By equipping adults with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to abuse, we can create a safer environment for our children and break the cycle of trauma that affects so many families.
Join us in this crucial effort. You can RSVP for the training by Friday, Oct. 4, at www.RiverBridgeRC.org/events. To support YouthZone’s work, please consider donating at www.youthzone.com/give. With your help, we can continue fostering hopeful youth, strong families, and safe communities for years to come.