Seeking Referrals for Kidzz4Kidzz Support Groups

Kidzz4Kidzz, Inc. is starting weekly, survivor-run support groups for young people who have survived physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Goals of the Groups:
• To create a community surrounding issues that can be very isolating.
• To decrease shame surrounding abuse-related issues by showing participants that there are others like them.
• To connect survivors to each other.
• To help survivors share ideas as to how to deal with the aftereffects of abuse.

How the Groups Are Run
Participants will be divided into two groups, one for survivors of sexual abuse and one for survivors of physical and/or emotional abuse. Absolute confidentiality will be ensured- participants will be identified by first name only and anything discussed during groups and between group members will be held to the highest standard of confidentiality. Groups will begin by allowing each participant to name an issue they would like to discuss during the group- if nobody has an issue they wish to address, group leaders may suggest an issue such as questioning if the abuse was real, guilt and shame, loving an abuser, dissociation, flashbacks/nightmares, relationships after abuse, triggers, emotional detachment, or self-destructive behavior. Each group will conclude by allowing participants to discuss how the group felt for them. If material that is discussed is triggering for certain participants, we will have a 'safe room' where they can de-stress before returning to the group. Group members will be reminded often that the group leaders are survivors, not professionals, and will be strongly encouraged to seek professional help in addition to attending groups.

Group Leaders
Group leaders are young people who are not professionals in the mental health field, but who can guide group participants in their discussions and offer helpful suggestions based on personal experience and between 5 and 30 hours of training (depending on previous experience). At this point, all group leaders are also members of the Kidzz4Kidzz Executive Board, but we would gladly accept others to lead groups should they be properly trained.

Additional Component
Although Kidzz4Kidzz support groups are focused on abuse-related issues, we also want participants to be able to enjoy being in the present and to celebrate that they survived such ordeals in the company of other survivors. For this reason, participants will also be invited to biweekly celebrations including activities like swimming, video games, going to the park, and having a pizza party.

Restrictions on Participation
• Participants should be between the ages of 9 and 21, although this is not a strict limit.
• Those with a history of violent behavior are not permitted.
• Participation must be completely voluntary.

Logistics
Anyone who wishes to participate in a Kidzz4Kidzz support group should e-mail their first name, age, gender, and the type(s) of abuse they endured to Kidzz4KidzzInc@aol.com.