In 2024 alone, Safe & Sound’s Community Education team spoke to 3,991 K-5 students about Safety Awareness through our partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District.

This cornerstone of our prevention efforts teaches children how to keep themselves safe, how to respond to different types of pressure from others, and to talk to a trusted adult about their experiences.

The content is simple, but the concepts being articulated are potentially life changing for the children in the class. Topics covered include:

• Being assertive – saying “no” when someone tries to break a safety rule, getting away from them and telling someone.
  
• A simple rule – never touch a gun.
  
• That there is a difference between safe and unsafe touch, and which body parts are private and should only be touched by adults whose role is to keep them clean and healthy – namely parents/guardians and doctors/nurses.
  
• How to use the support system of safe grownups, telling them where you are going or reporting if someone breaks a safety rule.

The community educators generally divide these topics into three distinct but interrelated sessions of 30 minutes, visiting each class for three days in a row, in a tightly packed schedule that sees them visit 30 institutions per year across San Francisco.

Through rhymes, claps, roleplays and patiently answering questions, the community educators ensure that students understand the key concepts. This consistent curriculum is delivered to students throughout their school journey, to reinforce the messages and add levels of complexity to the information as children get older, start to understand the concepts and have different experiences.

In response to parent and teacher feedback citing their most prominent concerns, in 2025 the classes will start to incorporate internet safety, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring the curriculum remains as valuable and up to date as possible.

Sharon was overwhelmed with sadness and it deeply affected her daughter, Emma. Emma mirrored her mom’s emotion and stopped playing with friends and her joy faded as her mom’s depression worsened. Seeing her daughter’s happiness fade, Sharon knew she needed help but didn’t know where to begin.

Then she found Safe & Sound. Through drop-in sessions and support groups, Sharon connected with other parents and realized how her family benefitted from these programs and services. With the support of the counseling team and guidance, Sharon grew more resilient and overcame her struggles, becoming a more confident and present mother. Meanwhile, Emma attended the Therapeutic Children’s Playroom, where she learned critical social-emotional skills in a nurturing space. Slowly, Emma found her joy again, reconnecting with friends and enjoying playtime like before.