Peaceful Paths recognizes that children are often affected by violence in their homes and provides free services to try to address their needs. These services include but are not limited to:
- Age specific safety planning
- Educational and social support groups
- Supervised childcare
- Individual counseling
- Advocacy
In both Outreach and Shelter programs, trained staff and volunteers provide a safe and supportive environment for children and teens so they can talk openly while also gathering useful tools to help create safer situations. Activities and programs are designed to review topics like safety, healthy relationships, managing conflicts and healthy emotional expression.
Outreach and Shelter youth programming is meant to meet the needs of the individual participants while not singling out any particular youth’s situation. Our aim is to empower children and teens by highlighting their resilience and inner strengths, while allowing them the emotional space to grow as unique individuals facing their own challenges.
Dating violence is affecting many teenagers in our community in addition to family violence and we are addressing this issue by offering support groups that are geared toward the relationships of young adults. Participants will learn similar concepts related to power and control, but with a youth focused approach. This is different from services offered for children/teens that are witnessing adult violence in their families and please feel free to ask for more details at anytime.
Services and activities are typically offered at the same times as adult support groups for convenience however appointments can be made outside of those times if needed.
Outreach Child and Youth Advocates can be reached at 352-377-5690 for more details.