Why We Do What We Do
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”
~Frederick Douglas
Compassionate Partners KC is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with services we call Compassionate Projects.
ACEs describe specific traumatic events experienced before the age of 18 that contribute to poor physical/mental health, addictions and early death of adults. ACEs can cause toxic stress that has been shown to change brain development in young children and can have damaging effects on learning and behavior.
We engage in a continuous process of identifying and collaborating with key partners within the community to promote positive experiences that foster resiliency. In an effort to provide relevant and timely services where it’s needed the most, we reference the Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Triennial Community Health Needs Assessment. Their assessment identifies the current conditions that affect the well being of the children in Kansas City.
We do what we do because if our work can create just one smile, inspire hope in just one child, if we can positively change the trajectory of one at risk child… then the ripple effect can change the world.
Domestic violence at home results in emotional damage which exerts continued effects as the victim matures.
- 1 in 15 children in the United States were exposed to intimate partner violence for a total of more than 5 million children.
- 1 in 3 children who witnessed domestic violence were also child abuse victims.
- 43% of domestic violence incidents with female victims, children are residents of the household where the incident occurred.
- Children who witness intimate partner violence growing up are 3 times as likely as their peers to engage in violent behavior.
- Children who witness incidents of domestic violence (a form of childhood trauma) are at greater risk of serious adult health problems including obesity, cancer, heart disease, depression, substance abuse, tobacco use and unintended pregnancies than peers who did not witness domestic violence.
- Fathers who batter the mothers of their children are twice as likely to seek sole custody of their children as non-abusive fathers.