From Trauma to Triumph

A CAMPAIGN FOR KIDS-TALK DETROIT

Every child who walks through the doors of Kids-TALK deserves safety, dignity, and a path toward healing.

Through the From Trauma to Triumph campaign, The Guidance Center is expanding Kids-TALK’s ability to serve children and families across Wayne County at the moment they need us most.

Every year in Wayne County, approximately 6,000 child abuse and/or neglect cases are verified. When these allegations involve sexual abuse or severe physical abuse, Kids-TALK is there to serve as a vital component of the investigative process, and more importantly, as an advocate for the child and family.
 
The Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center was established 25 years ago through the vision and determination of Lynda Baker and Nancy J. Diehl, who co-authored a Skillman Foundation grant with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office serving as fiduciary. United by a deep conviction that children who had endured the unspeakable deserved better care, Lynda and Nancy set out to create a more compassionate and coordinated response.
 

 
Today, Kids-TALK is a program of The Guidance Center, one of Michigan’s largest human service agencies providing comprehensive behavioral health and community outreach services. By combining The Guidance Center’s wide-ranging services, high quality care and dedicated staff with Kids-TALK’s child-centered programming, the children who walk through the Kids-TALK doors are surrounded by the support they need to heal from their trauma.
 

Our Campaign Goal: $15 million
Purpose: Expand Kids-TALK Detroit and increase capacity for child-centered forensic interviews, advocacy, therapy, medical evaluations, prevention, and family support.
Need: Kids-TALK is serving children across Wayne County in a space and system that must grow to meet demand.
Impact: More children served, less retraumatization, stronger coordinated response, more timely access to healing.

Why the Kids-TALK Model Matters

Without a CAC, a child may have to retell their story multiple times to multiple systems.
 
With the Kids-TALK CAC, law enforcement, child protection, medical providers, prosecutors, advocates, and therapists coordinate around the child so the child only has to tell their story once.

Listening to Kids

Behind every number is a child, a family, and a future that can be changed with the right support at the right time.
 
Katherine remembers when she was very young that her mother would tell her how smart and independent she was going to be when she grew up. She learned how to ride a bike, how to rollerblade, how to read every single book, article and cereal box in the house. She learned how to sew doll clothing out of socks. With her mother’s help and encouragement, Katherine WAS smart, curious and happy, developing confidence and independence.
 
But then when she was nine, her mother married a man who turned out to be cruel and abusive.
 

Download the Case for Support to read more

A Community-Led Campaign

From civic leaders and public officials to business, philanthropic, and community partners, this campaign is guided by leaders who believe Wayne County’s children deserve a safer and stronger path forward.

Contact Us

Click here to contact our Philanthropy & Communications team.