Child and Youth Programs
Children and Youth Programs
Anna Marie’s Alliance works toward its mission to bring about change on a systemic level by taking a holistic approach to the problem of domestic violence. How? By starting at the beginning. Our child and youth programs are built around the understanding that society is shaped by individuals’ experiences, which dictate how we see the world.
That’s why our advocates work to teach children and youth about boundaries, what is and isn’t acceptable, and what it means to have healthy, strong relationships.
Children’s Shelter Program
Youth programming at Anna Marie’s Shelter includes daycare, group support, activity time, and advocacy services for children while they are staying with us.
The Children Exposed to Violence Initiative is a collaboration of advocates, mental health providers and early childhood educators that provide a continuum of care for children. The Initiative is dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence by helping to ensure children receive needed services.
Health assessments and needed immunizations are provided for all children in our care.
School Youth Programs
Anna Marie’s Alliance’s Prevention and Education department’s School Youth Advocates are out in the community and in area schools with programs to help teach kids the skills they will need to create a community where violence is not tolerated. Because early intervention is key to violence prevention, advocates work to help teens and pre-teens understand and develop healthy relationships with the people they date, their friends and peers, and their family members.
By reaching kids and teens during their formative years, these programs are impactful, instilling an understanding about boundaries and acceptable ways to interact that carries with them into their adult years. The goal? For a new generation that rejects violence and respects the rights of everyone to live a peaceful, fulfilling life free of abuse.
For middle and high school students, our programming includes individual support and educational groups that meet for 12 to 15 weeks each year. Classroom presentations on dating violence, safe social media use, healthy relationship-building, and many other initiatives support the effort to change the trajectory of domestic violence.
Children K-6 receive classroom sessions on bullying, safety, how to be a good friend, and other topics.
On-Site Daycare
Anna Marie’s Shelter residents have access to our on-site daycare during work hours. Staffed by licensed daycare professionals, the recently-remodeled daycare keeps little ones busy with play, learning, and time outdoors in the secured yard adjacent to the childcare facility.
Moms are able to go to work or attend job interviews, pick up school-aged kids, and attend legal hearings and other appointments without worrying about finding a babysitter or leaving their children home alone. Anna Marie’s Alliance is one of just a few domestic violence shelters in the state to offer daycare in our facility.
Dating Violence and Sexual Assault Resources for Youth
If you are concerned about a case of violence, assault, or human trafficking, contact the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center at 320-251-4357 or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.
If you or someone you know is a victim of dating violence, here are some resources:
Anna Marie’s Alliance Advocates are available to talk with you 24-hours a day, seven days a week:
320-253-6900
loveisrespect.org is a great resource website for teens.
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network:
http://www.RAINN.org
Sources:
http://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/Dating_Abuse_Statistics.pdf
In Love and In Danger by Barrie Levy
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6304a1.htm?s_cid=ss6304a1_w