Joyous sounds fill Safe & Sound’s Therapeutic Children’s Playroom as children giggle and play. The Playroom, always buzzing with activities, nurtures positive interactions among the kids, fostering bonding and social-emotional learning and school readiness skills. The children, ages 1 month – 12 years old, visit the Playroom while their parents participate in therapy services, attend workshops, or receive support from the dedicated Safe & Sound staff.
Recently, amidst the cheerful atmosphere, a poignant moment emerged. A child’s unexpected words cut through the laughter, “We do not have a home to go back to, my family doesn’t live there anymore.” The Safe & Sound team’s eyes swiftly turned toward Joey, the child who had just spoken these heartfelt words.
Immediately, our Care Coordination team (our Care Management Support who work directly with families) talked to his caregiver, Barbara, who was attending one of our parent education workshops. The team learned more about their situation and provided support by securing a safe accommodation and arranging a rental home. Additionally, the team provided for some basic needs, including warm clothing, food, an airbed, and gift cards for purchasing necessities. This assistance was made possible because of donors like YOU! Safe & Sound was able to immediately provide support to a family in crisis, minimizing the obvious trauma Joey—and his caregivers—were experiencing.
“I don’t know what I would do if Safe & Sound didn’t exist”, says Barbara, the child’s mom. “Because of Safe & Sound, we live under a roof, and Joey is in a safe place now.” Many families in vulnerable situations face stressful challenges like this, and the stress is compounded when a parent has to worry about their child being removed from them if they can’t provide basic needs like housing. Imagine life circumstances getting in the way of being able to provide care and nurturing for your child.
More than 10,000 families utilize the vital programs and services of Safe & Sound annually not because of a crisis but rather to help cope with their family’s daily stressful challenges.
Your generous donation today contributes directly to Safe & Sound’s success in improving life for children and families in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The assistance and support of the Safe & Sound community—individuals like YOU—empower us to fortify families like Barbara’s so they can be the most effective caregivers for their children. Your gift as a Safe & Sound community member ensures all families are not alone during some of the biggest challenges faced by parents and children.
Your gift as a Safe & Sound community member wraps all of this support around every family that comes Safe & Sound with hope of a better future for themselves and their children. Thank you for being a partner in our mission to prevent and reduce the impact of childhood abuse, neglect and trauma.
Happy holidays,
Gagan Sandhu
Chief Program Officer