The Kerengende Foundation provides sexual violence prevention and support services for at-risk youth, victims of child sexual abuse, human trafficking, and their families in low-income communities across Southern Illinois. Through three key program areas—Community Outreach, Targeted Prevention & Education, and Direct Support & Intervention—we work to reduce the impact of sexual trauma, improve mental health, and create safe spaces for families to recover from and prevent abuse.
Driving Change in Our Community
Through events like back-to-school fairs and health expos, we raise awareness and provide vital resources about child sexual abuse and human trafficking prevention.
Workshops to Empower Youth, Educate Communities, and Prevent Abuse
We empower youth and the adults who care for them through targeted education on child sexual abuse and human trafficking, offering prevention workshops and age-appropriate curricula for K-12 students—covering everything from safe and unsafe touches in early childhood to consent, coercion, and boundaries during critical teen years
At the adult level, we train organizations to prevent abuse and support survivors effectively.
Youth Programming
Equipping youth to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse and human trafficking, fostering safer communities – because we are Stronger Together.
Adult Programming
Educating adults, organizations, and communities because “it’s all of our business”.
As adults, it’s easy to think, “That’s not my business.” But when it comes to preventing abuse and supporting survivors, it’s all of our business.
At the community level, we provide training for schools, nonprofits, law enforcement, faith-based groups, and healthcare systems to prevent abuse and strengthen support for survivors.
Direct Support for Youth Survivors & Their Families
Kerengende Foundation supports youth survivors of child sexual abuse and human trafficking and their families by providing trauma-informed case management for youth survivors, a support group for non-offending caregivers, and emergency assistance. We also connect families with partner organizations and therapists for additional care.
Kerengende is dedicated to eliminating barriers to care. All services are provided at no cost to families.
Direct Services for Youth
Case Management
We provide case management for youth survivors of child sexual abuse and/or human trafficking at our office in Belleville. Our focus is on ensuring safety, identifying needs, and connecting clients to resources. We collaborate with partners to offer seamless, coordinated support for survivors and their families.
Therapy
For needs beyond our services, Kerengene helps cover costs for youth survivors on a case-by-case basis through our network of partner therapists, ensuring access to specialized support.
Direct Services for Adults
Non-Offending Caregiver Support
To support parents and guardians caring for youth survivors of child sexual abuse and/or human trafficking, we offer a support group where non-offending caregivers can process trauma, build a support network, and learn strategies to prevent future abuse.
Emergency Assistance
We provide emergency support on a case-by-case basis for essential needs, including rent, utilities, and clothing, to help stabilize families during times of crisis.
Get In Touch
Contact us to learn more about how we can help your community.