WHAT’S HAPPENING?
It’s a new year and with that comes new ideas, new plans and big dreams for us at Voices of Courage.
New ideas includes finding more efficient and successful ways to fundraise. 2025 has been a year of uncertainty when it comes to Federal funding, so we have to find new ways to continue and expand our mission.
New plans include a new 3-year Strategic Plan to help set ourselves up for success.
And those big dreams? Well, stick with us to see what those will entail as 2026 progresses. We want each of you to come along with us as we navigate how to respond to the ever-increasing demand for the services we provide.
If you read last month’s newsletter and the article titled Working Together for Children’s Sake, you know that we believe our community working together is important for the health and safety of children. In that article, we discuss why it’s important for our children that we look at the school district issues through a unified lens versus a divided north/south/east lens.
Community is the big concept for 2026. Supporting families – for children’s sake. Thinking of the greater good – for children’s sake. Facing challenges together – for children’s sake. And of course, working together – for children’s sake.
We hope you will join us as we emphasize the importance of community in the year to come.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
Returning to School After a Long Break
Returning to school following the holiday break can be a time of excitement for many children – new routines, familiar faces, a fresh start. But for other children, especially those affected by abuse, neglect or significant stress, coming back to school can feel overwhelming.
Long breaks can disrupt the sense of safety and predictability that school sometimes provides. During extended time away, some children experience increased isolation, food insecurity, family stress, or even exposure to harm. Upon returning to the classroom, they may be carrying experiences that are invisible to us but affects them deeply.
Educators and caregivers may notice things like difficulty concentrating, increased anxiety, irritability, withdrawal or other sudden behavioral challenges. It’s important to note that these are not always signs of defiance or disinterest. These behaviors are often signs of trauma or stress.
The school environment can play a critical role in helping a child regulate and feel safe. Consistent routines, clear expectations and supportive caregivers can make a big difference. A caring adult who notices a change and offers patience and kindness can help a child feel seen and supported.
By approaching returning students with empathy rather than assumptions, we can create spaces where children can learn and connect with others.
Remember, for some children, going back to school isn’t about academics. It’s about safety and stability.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Community Is The Answer
When child abuse occurs, it is often thought of as a private, family matter. Many people prefer that we leave child abuse behind closed doors, handled quietly if handled at all.
This type of thought process is not only inaccurate – it is actually harmful to children.
Child abuse is a community problem, and preventing it requires a community response.
Why is child abuse everyone’s problem? Because most of the children affected by it don’t grow up in isolation. They live, learn and play within the systems we all share such as schools, the healthcare system, childcare, our churches, workplaces and neighborhoods.
Not everyone believes this to be true, but abuse is often a reflection of the gaps in support and protection of children across the entire community.
Abuse Thrives in Isolation
Economic hardship, untreated mental health needs, substance use and lack of access to childcare or healthcare can be the straw that breaks the back of caregivers. I am not saying this excuses harming a child – absolutely not. I am saying that these are the reasons why prevention must extend beyond just blaming families.
A strong community where neighbors check in on one another, where employers support family-friendly policies and where caregivers know where to turn for help, can reduce those stressors and make children safer.
Most children interact daily with adults outside their homes. These individuals are often the first to notice signs that something isn’t right with a child. When a community is educated about the signs of abuse and empowered to act when they see those signs, children are more likely to be protected earlier.
A caring, strong community understands its role and does not look away. That community knows that reporting concerns is not about punishing someone – it’s about safety, healing and access to help for the child.
Silence Protects The Abuser – Awareness Protects Children
One of the greatest barriers to addressing child abuse is silence. Finding the topic uncomfortable, fear of being wrong, or the belief that “it’s not my business” all allow abuse to continue unchecked. We need to normalize conversations about child abuse as a community, reframing the conversation to emphasize child safety and trauma. These more open conversations will replace silence with compassion and vigilance.
Of course prevention education and open dialogue will make children safer, but it also has the added benefit of helping the collective good. When we protect children as a community, we have a shared value. We are on the same team working to create a better community in which to live.
Intervention is great. Of course, let’s all agree to step in when we spot abuse. But healing requires specialized services: trauma-informed mental health care, advocacy and safe spaces where children can be heard and believed. These services exist because communities have chosen to invest in them. When those agencies (like ours) are supported, the community is saying: Our children matter, and their safety is our responsibility.
Child abuse is not a family problem, something to be hidden away. It is a community challenge that demands collective action. Every adult, organization, and business has a role to play in creating safe environments where children can thrive.
When communities come together, we won’t just be responding to abuse. We will be working to ensure fewer children ever have to experience it.
Protecting children is not just the responsibility of individual families. It is the responsibility of all of us. Not every household is a safe place, but our community should be.
Melissa Birdsell
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Corporate Champions Campaign
In 2026, we are introducing our new Corporate Champions Campaign, an initiative designed to partner with local businesses that share our commitment to protecting children and strengthening families.
As stated throughout this newsletter, a strong community creates a healthy environment where children can thrive. Providing supports for those children and their families is vital to this concept.
We will be asking businesses to join us in providing those supports without barriers (such as cost to the family or delays in service) regardless of a family’s circumstances.
We will be adding a section to our newsletter to highlight those Champions as they come on board. Those who join us early on, our “Founding Champions”, will receive regular recognition here, on our website, in our annual report, and at any and all events hosted by our agency. It’s important that people know what businesses in our area are supporting our mission.
More information will follow in next month’s newsletter, however if you are part of a business that would like to partner with us to protect children in our community, contact Melissa today to learn more!
#itisyourbusiness Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline 800-392-3738