She’s used to playing strong, no-nonsense characters. Now she’s lending that strength to the voices of others who may not be able to speak for themselves. Alysia Reiner is a familiar face, most notably as Natalie “Fig” Figueroa on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. However, some of Alysia’s favorite roles are the ones she plays …
Let’s face it, we are all experiencing some level of chronic stress in the era of COVID-19, even our children. That stress could have long lasting effects on our mental and physical health. But it doesn’t have to. As an Authorized Facilitator and Certified Instructor, I meet many parents who are trying to do their …
According to the New York Times, tech companies reported over 45 million online photos and videos of children being sexually abused in 2018 – more than double what they found the previous year. For parents, caregivers, and concerned citizens, headlines like this can be overwhelming and disheartening. How can this be the case? And how …
With schools moving to digital learning, your kids may be spending more time online. Whether playing games, having classes, or socializing with friends, they are in front of a screen more than normal. So, how do you ensure they are staying safe online? Just like you would if your children were going to a friend’s …
Protecting Children may look different, but it’s still possible. We’ve joined forces with our partners at the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, the JED Foundation, the Monique Burr Foundation for Children (MBF), and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to provide resources for …
Have you ever noticed that kids seem to be experts at asking difficult questions? As the adult in their life, you want to be able to equip them to handle all of life’s curveballs… but some topics just seem to come out of left field. Using scenes from movies can be a great way to …
What is your family culture? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Does your family have inside jokes, daily rituals, or unspoken schedules? Have you ever thought about the unique way your family talks to each other, approaches conflict, or solves problems? How do you deal with unexpected stressful situations, like social distancing? The …
Being a safe adult means that a child can trust you to be there for them when they need help. We often talk about what it means to be a safe adult when a child discloses abuse to you. In fact, this is a critical part of the fifth step of the 5 Steps to …
When it comes to child safety, we’re encouraging you to take things One Day at a Time. Protecting kids doesn’t have to be a big haul or an overwhelming process—in fact, there are protective measures we can take that can come as easy as taking a deep breath. As our communities continue to press pause …
Spending a lot of time at home with your kids? Looking for a fun and healthy activities to do together? Try the “What If” Game! The “What If?” Game is a great way to pose possible situations to kids that they may face in life and would need to solve. As a parent or caregiver, it’s …
During this unusual time, you have had to completely change the way you teach. Your lesson plans, activities, and discussions look very different than they did just a few weeks ago. As you tread through this new space, it’s important to remember that in your physical classroom environment you have classroom rules and your school …
We have all felt the impact of the Coronavirus in our lives, but none more than the victim of abuse who may be quarantined with their abuser. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, I know what it feels like to live with a perpetrator, and I know how important any time away from home …
When you commit to creating a safe, protective environment for your athletes, you create a place where they can grow and excel. So, how do you take it to the next level? Be informed about child abuse, be aware of your environment, and be prepared to respond to concerns. Know the appropriate steps to take …
Communication is key to coaching and teamwork. You communicate with other coaches, staff, athletes and their parents every day in your facility. But how do you converse with them? A big part of preventing abuse is open, honest communication. When dialogue is encouraged among coaches, athletes, and parents, it makes it harder for an offender …
From all of us at the Darkness to Light office, we hope you are staying safe and protected from COVID-19. The impact of the coronavirus is being felt across the world, and we know it may be difficult to maintain your normal child protective steps while adapting to the ever-changing environment. Your child’s school has …
Let’s face it. Coaching can be complicated. As a coach, you’re a mix of coach, parent, educator, and motivator. You see the promise in your athletes, pushing them to achieve things they might not have thought possible. Celebrating their successes and counseling them through short-comings, you develop a close personal relationship with the athletes you …
Cheer and dance stunts are activities that require incredible skill and dedication. Athletes perform intense, backbreaking routines that the average person could never accomplish. From extensions to liberty to air tosses, the result can be breathtaking. Just like a flyer relies on the support of their bases’ hands as they prepare to lift, personal boundaries …
As a coach, you are a big part of your athlete’s lives. Competitive sports are demanding but rewarding, and you see your athletes through a lot. Kids need to know that they are valued and believed in, so your role as a coach is crucial. Because one in 10 children will be sexually abused before …
It’s the moment many parents dread: your teenager has been asked out on their first date. You may feel like they’re too young (let’s be honest, you think anything younger than 30 years old is too young) but they are over the moon to be going out with their crush. This is uncharted territory for …
From all of us at the Darkness to Light office, we hope you are staying safe and protected from COVID-19. Our staff is working 100% remotely. Here are some protective steps you can take to keep your child as safe as possible during this unprecedented time. Stay safe & healthy!