The goal of Catalyst's Children's Program is to provide therapeutic, recreational, and educational activities to support children and youth of all ages at HAVEN, our confidential safe housing program. We strive to model healthy relationships, promote resiliency, and to help strengthen the relationships of the family members we serve.

Children and youth entering HAVEN with their parent have been affected by intimate partner violence and sometimes abuse.  Our primary goal at Catalyst is to help them feel safe while they adjust to the challenges of living in a shelter.  More often than not, every single thing about their lives has been upended -- moving to a new area, new schools, changing or entering daycare, and the loss of their previous home environment. Our team of staff and volunteers are trained to help kids along their path toward recovery from the trauma they’ve experienced, through play, friendship, counseling, and outside therapeutic resources.

We help parents get their children securely established in school, after-school programs, daycare, summer camps, and community classes. We also provide many activities right here at HAVEN for kids of all ages.   A few activities we regularly enjoy include music, art, puzzles, books, games, movies, playing outside, riding bikes, playing basketball, running through the sprinklers, and just about anything kids anywhere enjoy doing!   Holidays are always fun, with decorating, gift giving, special snacks, meals and desserts that bring everyone together.  

It's a joy and an honor to see the children go through their own journey while growing more comfortable and secure here at HAVEN.

Spotlight On: ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a huge impact on individuals well into adulthood. As part of our trauma informed approach to serving survivors of intimate partner violence, Catalyst is committed to acknowledging the role childhood trauma plays in complex trauma and working to minimize its impact.

ACEs are common. About half of all children will experience some form of adversity before they reach adulthood. These experiences can include abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional), neglect, exposure to substance abuse, household mental illness, incarceration of a loved one, parental divorce or separation, and exposure to domestic violence. In 87% of cases, more than one ACE is present.

The effects of ACES on adulthood vary, but can include substance abuse, depression, severe obesity, heart disease, and even a shortened life span. Despite the risks, ACEs affect each child differently. Some individuals may experience a variety of complications, while others have no difficulties.