Donate to Little Warriors
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Donate to The Gatehouse
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As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I know what it is like to face adversity every day of your life. I also know how important it is to get the professional help to work through the trauma and rebuild your life. Over the years, I've faced trauma, addiction, and depression, and I've come out the other side stronger, more resilient, and more determined to make a difference in this world. Having been named the 2015 "Golden Shoe Award" winner as the Canadian Runner of the Year, I have decided to dedicate my 2016 race schedule as a year-long campaign to raise awareness and over $100,000 for The Gatehouse and Little Warriors, two grassroots organizations that work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. My two premier running awareness events this year will be my running a "Double-Double" Ottawa Marathon (168.8 km), and a "Triple-Double" Toronto Waterfront Marathon (253.2 km). With YOUR help, we will continue to shed light on an issue that touches the lives of 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys. WE can, and WE will make a difference.
Here's a little more about the organizations I have selected:
1. Little Warriors
Our Mission: Little Warriors is a national charitable organization, based in Canada committed to the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. focusing on the education and prevention of child sexual abuse.
About Our Charity: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual abuse; 95% of those children know their perpetrator. 95% of cases go unreported.
The Be Brave Ranch: The Be Brave Ranch by Ray LaBonte and Family is a treatment centre focused solely to help children who have been sexually abused, as well as their families. The Be Brave Ranch program (supported by Little Warriors) offers these children a place to heal and increase their chances of growing into healthy adults, and supports both the child and their families in their own environment for a full year.
Our Approach: The Be Brave Ranch offers an evidence-based treatment program that combines multiple proven therapies for children ages 8-12. It starts with an initial 20-day period at the Be Brave Ranch, during which they form close relationships with the 7 other members of their peer-group (“cohort”). This is followed by long-term therapy and support for the child and their family lasting a full year. During this extended period, children come back to the Be Brave Ranch for 3 other 7-day periods for further therapy and to reconnect in person with their cohort.
During the one-year program there is more than 200 hours of diverse therapy for children and their families run by clinical professionals, and offering a unique program including:
Therapy is provided in an enriched “camp-like” environment in which children also have lots of fun! Being in cohorts helps each child recognize they are not alone, and gives them peers who have experienced similar traumas. The children form long-term relationships with deep bonds, and these also help the children heal.
Child abuse affects the whole family; thus, our program also incorporates family-centered therapy. Children come to the Be Brave Ranch with a parent or caregiver whenever possible. The Be Brave Ranch provides a safe environment for the child and their family to heal.
For more information on the Be Brave Ranch visit our website at www.littlewarriors.ca or email info@littlewarriors.ca.
2. The Gatehouse
Our Mission: Providing a community response to child abuse that facilitates healing, recovery, and prevention.
About Our Charity: Out of a restored Victorian house, The Gatehouse provides support services for people whose lives have been affected by childhood abuse. We offer a safe place for children to disclose abuse to police, as well as services that address the needs of adult survivors of abuse. Our programs provide a unique service response intended to reduce trauma in the aftermath of abuse and are based on referral and advocacy support within the larger social service system. Our goal is to create a seamless continuum of support services around victims and their non-perpetrating family members. Our unique services include:
For more information about the Gatehouse: visit our website at http://www.thegatehouse.org/ or email mbarcelos@thegatehouse.org
Here's a little more about the organizations I have selected:
1. Little Warriors
Our Mission: Little Warriors is a national charitable organization, based in Canada committed to the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. focusing on the education and prevention of child sexual abuse.
About Our Charity: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual abuse; 95% of those children know their perpetrator. 95% of cases go unreported.
The Be Brave Ranch: The Be Brave Ranch by Ray LaBonte and Family is a treatment centre focused solely to help children who have been sexually abused, as well as their families. The Be Brave Ranch program (supported by Little Warriors) offers these children a place to heal and increase their chances of growing into healthy adults, and supports both the child and their families in their own environment for a full year.
Our Approach: The Be Brave Ranch offers an evidence-based treatment program that combines multiple proven therapies for children ages 8-12. It starts with an initial 20-day period at the Be Brave Ranch, during which they form close relationships with the 7 other members of their peer-group (“cohort”). This is followed by long-term therapy and support for the child and their family lasting a full year. During this extended period, children come back to the Be Brave Ranch for 3 other 7-day periods for further therapy and to reconnect in person with their cohort.
During the one-year program there is more than 200 hours of diverse therapy for children and their families run by clinical professionals, and offering a unique program including:
- Intensive trauma focused-cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)
- Art therapy
- Play therapy
- Music therapy
- Recreational activities
- Peer group (cohort) support
Therapy is provided in an enriched “camp-like” environment in which children also have lots of fun! Being in cohorts helps each child recognize they are not alone, and gives them peers who have experienced similar traumas. The children form long-term relationships with deep bonds, and these also help the children heal.
Child abuse affects the whole family; thus, our program also incorporates family-centered therapy. Children come to the Be Brave Ranch with a parent or caregiver whenever possible. The Be Brave Ranch provides a safe environment for the child and their family to heal.
For more information on the Be Brave Ranch visit our website at www.littlewarriors.ca or email info@littlewarriors.ca.
2. The Gatehouse
Our Mission: Providing a community response to child abuse that facilitates healing, recovery, and prevention.
About Our Charity: Out of a restored Victorian house, The Gatehouse provides support services for people whose lives have been affected by childhood abuse. We offer a safe place for children to disclose abuse to police, as well as services that address the needs of adult survivors of abuse. Our programs provide a unique service response intended to reduce trauma in the aftermath of abuse and are based on referral and advocacy support within the larger social service system. Our goal is to create a seamless continuum of support services around victims and their non-perpetrating family members. Our unique services include:
- A neutral investigation site with a state-of-the-art recording facility for child abuse investigators
- 24 hr. Police Accessibility
- 'Response to a Family Crisis' support program for children and their families
- An Adult Support Network
- A Mentor Training Program
- Short-term consultation and referral counselling
For more information about the Gatehouse: visit our website at http://www.thegatehouse.org/ or email mbarcelos@thegatehouse.org