Hi! I'm Curtis Clemons and I'm on the board of Family Nurturing Center. I want to share with you how Family Nurturing Center's child abuse prevention program, Kids on the Block, saved my life.

It takes a village.

I’m sure you’ve heard these words before. To some, it means raising a child takes a lot - a lot of work, effort, patience and grace - and a lot of wondering what in the world you got yourself into! That's likely what my mom was thinking as she raised me, her wild little redheaded boy.

I grew up in a loving home with an amazing single mom. She was surrounded by a great village of caring people. When I was 8, my Northern Kentucky school called upon a member of the village, Family Nurturing Center, to help educate and protect students from child abuse. The Kids on the Block Puppets, Joanne, Stephen and Nam, visited my third-grade class. Little did I know that in sharing stories on how children should and shouldn't be touched, those puppets would save my life.

And as I listened to their stories, I realized I was being touched inappropriately. Two other little boys who went to my school realized the same thing. Fortunately, Kids on the Block taught us what to do in this situation: Tell someone -- your mom, a teacher, a cop, a coach, someone, anyone.

One of the other boys did tell his mom, and she told mine. When asked about it, I denied it at first. This culture of silence often is rooted in fear and shame, but sadly, only perpetuates the cycle of abuse. Thankfully, my mom was persistent. When she asked me again, I said, "Yes."

Wow! The power of that word! With my "yes," the abuse stopped. In the years that followed, I learned that what happened was not my fault. I stand here today on the path to healing - and all because of a few puppets.

Kids on the Block is just one of many programs Family Nurturing Center provides in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Through counseling, parenting support, holistic and wellness classes, visitation services and more, Family Nurturing Center reaches nearly 10,000 children and families each year. And it offers all this for free!

It does, however, take a village and your support is critical. For every three children in trauma responsive counseling services, another is waiting. Your gift will help Family Nurturing Center protect children, heal families and extend its reach.

Won't you be part of a child's healing by clicking on the DONATE button today?

I'm thankful to Family Nurturing Center and thankful for your support!

Warmly,

Curtis Clemons, Survivor and Family Nurturing Center board member

It Takes a Village

By Family Nurturing Center

It Takes a Village

There is nothing more powerful than the strength of a village