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Different Missions, Shared Vision

April 15, 2021

Children’s Cove works to raise awareness about the issues related to crimes against children. Fortunately, we are joined by hundreds of other professionals across the Cape & Islands who also serve the vulnerable in our community. The last year of remote schooling has posed a threat to children who are at risk at home, because they are not surrounded by safe adults and mandated reporters. Instances of domestic and sexual violence, as well as child abuse, exploitation and online exploitation have magnified with isolation from social and community connections. During Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it is essential to raise visibility of the services available to our community.

If you are aware of any child or person in an unsafe situation, there is a community of professionals who have made it their mission to help. Please reach out. Everyone should live in a community free of abuse.

If you are in immediate danger call or text 9-1-1

No matter what has happened, no matter what someone has said, no matter your fears: You are not alone. You have not done anything wrong, and you are not in trouble. Ask for help. There is an entire community that believes you.

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Community Partners – Knights of Columbus

January 19, 2021

As we forge through these colder months wearing our winter coats, we want to highlight a wonderful community partner and their contribution to warmth over the years: the Knights of Columbus. Since 2016, Knights of Columbus have donated more than 100 coats to the Children’s Cove families through their Coats for Kids program, and we are forever grateful.

Richard Kijak, Grand Knight, has coordinated the collection and drop of coats for the last two years. Prior to that, Henry and Gayle McClean served in that role. Working with Family Advocate Melanie Sachs, they reached out to the families we support every fall to see who may need winter coats, knowing that needs change over time, especially during 2020.

This past holiday season, the Knights of Columbus and a few private donors we were able to provide new winter coats for 20 families and 45 children in need, from infants to teenagers. These families described the amazing feeling they had to be able to give warm coats to their children. For those who have experienced dramatic changes in their lives, particularly from trauma, the little things can often become the big things.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, as well as Richard, Henry and Gayle, who we have worked with over the years. You make a difference!

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It Takes a Community

December 13, 2020

Although this year has been unprecedented and different, one thing has remained constant: the impact our partners in the community make. We want to highlight a handful of the essential partnerships we’ve had for several years, including Harbor Church in Hyannis and Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in Buzzards Bay. These two organizations have contributed to the holiday season being filled with abundance, thanks, and joy for more than 175 families and nearly 300 children who have been victims of sexual abuse. One of the most vital elements of the spirit we carry at Children’s Cove is that, even after trauma, children can enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives. Our friends at Harbor and MMA help us bring that vision to life.

In the early Fall 2016, our Family Advocate gave a tour to some members of the Harbor Church, after which they asked, “How can we help?” This led to the first year in which members of the community put together full holiday meals with extra fixings, cooking utensils, and handmade cards for our team to give to families in need we’d supported that year. Since then, Harbor has doubled the amount of families they support each year and have encouraged members of their community to give back in incredible ways. We’d like to recognize and give a special thank you to Katie Rose Richie and Allison Warner, who have coordinated with Melanie the last four years in making this an annual event.

Another organization with tradition of annual giving and impact is the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Student Athlete Advisory Committee (MMA SAAC). For nearly 10 years, MMA SAAC has provided a collection of new toys and gifts for children who are seen at Children’s Cove. Every one of those years, like clockwork, they have delivered us a van (or two) full of toys to help Children’s Cove families. The student leaders at MMA have always demonstrated the inherent values of the institutions they represent, including honor, responsibility, discipline, and leadership. They have not only gathered and solicited donations from their communities, but they have also understood and communicated the mission, vision and values of Children’s Cove. By talking about these important issues and recognizing that a conversation is just as important as a donation, we may be making a difference for the future in mitigating the stigma of childhood trauma.

Over the last few years, MMA SAAC has helped nearly 250 children to have a joyful and fun holiday season. Because of the pandemic and limitation this year, the MMA SAAC, and our contacts Joe Malkin, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor, and Student Athletes George Lampros and Lucia Buzzell have chosen to “pivot” and approach family support differently. In lieu of the annual toy drive, we will be sending out gift cards to families who have come through the Cove recently, and, on an as-needed basis, to families who have walked through our doors in the last few years. Our goal is to take the burden off caregivers this holiday season and to provide smiles to children and teens who have received our services.

There is still hope and healing to carry into this holiday season. We are thankful to our generous and caring community partners for their support and for sharing in our vision to create a community where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they can enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives.

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