One of the very first programs that Rose Brooks Center established since opening its shelter in 1979 was the Children’s Program. Created in 1980, the program sought to help address the incredible emotional needs of those also impacted by domestic violence – the children.
Still today, the Children’s Program is a significant part of Rose Brooks’ mission, as we work to break the cycle of domestic violence. “What most people do not realize is at any given time approximately 40% of all of our 100 residents are children under the age of seventeen,” explains Scott Mason, Director of Marketing at Rose Brooks Center. It is for this reason that we provide a wide variety of services to not only support their emotional healing, but to decrease the likelihood that the cycle of domestic violence would continue.
The impact of the Children’s Program also extends to the parents. Rose Brooks Case Managers help parents with safety planning and connecting with community resources to meet their children’s basic needs, school enrollment, health care, nutrition, and clothing. As a matter of fact, 95% of the parents living in shelter with their children can identify ways to support their child’s healing once engaged in services. This is breaking the cycle!
“What I want people to know is that living in a domestic violence relationship can be such a lonely place to live, and it kept me and my daughter from growing. I want people to realize there is hope and there is help. Working with Rose Brooks helped me and my daughter to both dream about our futures.” – Jennifer
To learn more about our Children’s Program:
www.rosebrooks.org/services/emergency-safety-and-support.
Also learn about our school-based program, Project SAFE®. Each year, Project SAFE serves over 1,000 Kansas City area youth, ranging from Pre-K to Senior High. https://www.rosebrooks.org/services/community-outreach/.