Upcoming Educational Event to Help Adults Recognize, Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
By Ali Naaseh-Shahry, Deputy Development Director at YouthZone
Read the Article on the Post Independent website HERE.
This month, YouthZone is excited to invite you to a free educational event co-hosted by our wonderful community partners. Join us at the 3rd St. Center in Carbondale on October 17th from 5:30-8:00pm 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 instances of 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 that 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 to us by local courts after the commission of an alleged crime. 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 their assessments that they have been forced to have sexual contact at some point in their lives. These numbers are likely higher, considering that nearly 70% of sexual abuse instances go unreported. We know for a fact that child sexual abuse makes our communities less safe. According to the National Institutes of Justice, exposure to traumatic experiences during childhood increases the likelihood that the victim commits a crime later in life. We also know that 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.
Here at YouthZone, we’re 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. The sessions, valued at over $12,000, were provided at no cost to our clients. By developing standing contracts with local providers, YouthZone provides critical services at no cost when they are most needed, rather than relying on insurance or waiting weeks until a therapist is free to see a client. In addition to therapy, we also provide substance use education classes, where clients learn how traumatic childhood experiences like sexual assault can impact their decisions to use drugs and alcohol to cope.
We also work closely with a variety of governmental 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 we’re able to build a qualified multidisciplinary team of professionals who can serve victims of child sexual abuse, and that we have the funds to offset the cost of these services.
Finally, we also collaborate with other nonprofits, which strengthens our community network and enhances 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’s Stewards of Children® training alongside these amazing organizations.
Local statistics indicate 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. We invite you to join us in this crucial effort. You can RSVP for the training by Friday, October 4th by visiting www.RiverBridgeRC.org/events. If you’d like to support the work YouthZone does, please consider donating at http://www.youthzone.com/give. With your help, we’ll be able to continue fostering Hopeful Youth, Strong Families, and Safe Communities for years to come.
YouthZone is a nonprofit that prioritizes family support for parents, guardians, families, and adolescents. Our services, available from Aspen to Parachute, include parent counseling, education, family resources, and comprehensive assessment and advocacy to foster healthy relationships among youth, families, and communities. For more information and to access our support, visit youthzone.com or call 970-945-9300.
Ali Naaseh-Shahry is a Colorado native who holds degrees in international public policy from the University of Colorado (BA) and University College London (MSc). He moved to western Colorado in 2015 to teach six-and-under ski school at the Aspen Skiing Company. Ali has taught a wide variety of academic and experiential subjects to people of all ages. Most recently, he worked as a special education teacher with the Roaring Fork School District, where he used data-driven decision making to improve his delivery of specialized instruction. Ali enjoys lift-access powder skiing, raft-access fly fishing, and spending time with his cats.