A Note from our Executive Director
Dear friend,
How can YOU prevent child abuse? April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Though really, why just one month?
Shouldn’t we work to prevent child abuse every month of the year?
IVYP is what we call a “primary prevention” organization. Primary prevention is the prevention you don’t see, because if we are successful, we keep child abuse from happening. How do we do it? We work deliberately to strengthen the bonds between children and the adults who care for them, to mitigate family stress by connecting families to the services they need, and to improve parent skills by providing classes and plenty of opportunities for meaningful relationships. In fact, relationship is at the heart of everything we do.
It’s no surprise that healthy relationships are the single most important predictor of resilience in the face of adversity. So, this April – and every month – you can work to deepen your relationships. Ask a child a question, and really listen to their answer. Call a friend to whom you haven’t spoken in a while. Celebrate and honor healthy relationships.
Please join me (virtually) on Thursday, May 12 at 4:00 PM at our third annual LEAP awards. The event is FREE and you can attend from the comfort of your phone or computer. And, you’ll end your day feeling great and connected. RSVP HERE.
Name Change Update: We’re getting close! After hearing from students, clients, employees, partners, and community members, we know that we need a name that honors our history in Isla Vista and connects us to our future growth. Our new name should symbolize connection and relationship. We have some ideas. If you’d like a sneak preview, email me and I’ll happily chat with you about our thoughts.
Lori Goodman
Executive Director
