As we enter the holiday season, I’m reminded that this time of year can bring both joy and hardship. Across our community, many families are facing rising costs of living and reductions in SNAP benefits—real challenges that can add strain to already difficult circumstances. Research shows that when families experience financial stress, the risk of abuse and neglect can rise. That’s why our work at Kerengende Foundation matters more than ever.
At Kerengende, we believe prevention starts with support—ensuring that children, parents, and caregivers have access to the resources and education they need to thrive. Strong, supported families build safer environments for children, and every conversation, workshop, and connection we make brings us one step closer to that vision.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our direct services team walks alongside youth survivors and their families—meeting them where they are and helping strengthen connections to trusted local resources and support.
At the same time, our Community Education Team is growing as we expand our efforts to reach even more youth across the region. With three new Community Educators joining our team, we’re increasing access to prevention education to serve every classroom and community that desires it.
Together, we’re building a stronger network of safety, compassion, and hope for every child and family. Thank you for being part of this crucial work and for believing in the power of prevention and compassionate support.
Our programs continue to grow and make an impact in our communities!
Young Students Learn about Safe & Unsafe Touches
This season, we’re shining a light on one of our core programs—Safe Touches—a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum developed by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. As certified providers, Kerengende Foundation brings this interactive, puppet-based program to K–3 students, teaching children that their bodies belong to them and that their voices matter.
Led by Dr. Germysha Little, Director of Community Education, our passionate team of Community Educators has delivered the Safe Touches prevention curriculum to classrooms throughout East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights, empowering more than 670 second graders this year to identify safe and unsafe touches, understand body boundaries, and know when and how to seek help.
Watch our Safe Touches video!
Dr. Little captured a heartwarming glimpse of our workshops in action. This year, we reached every second grader in the Cahokia School District with Safe Touches programming! We’re thrilled to be expanding, scheduling sessions in Belleville and St. Louis City.
“Every time we walk into a classroom, we’re met with kids full of energy and curiosity. As we dive into the Safe Touches workshop, we watch them find the language and confidence to speak up for themselves—and that is the heart of our prevention work.”
– Amber Clayborne, Founder & Executive Director
Jr. High Students Learn About Healthy Relationships
Kerengende has also been working with Cahokia’s 6th–8th graders through our Healthy Relationships curriculum, which covers topics like self-esteem, communication, healthy relationships, grooming, and online safety. This series will conclude in mid-November, reaching approximately 600 middle school students—a major milestone for youth empowerment and prevention education! We are grateful to Lauren Peffley and the Crisis Aid team for supporting our students with education on human trafficking and online safety prevention.
Kerengende in the Community
From school partnerships to local outreach events, our educators and volunteers have been connecting directly with families and community leaders to spread awareness and prevention tools.
In October, our team proudly hosted a table at Metro East Pride, connecting with members of the LGBTQ+ community in Belleville. We shared resources, prevention tools, and messages of safety and affirmation with youth, families, and community partners. Events like this help us strengthen relationships, increase visibility, and ensure that every person knows Kerengende Foundation is here to support them.
Direct Support for Survivors & Families
Kerengende Foundation offers confidential support and resources for youth survivors of child sexual abuse and human trafficking and their caregivers. If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, please reach out using our contact form.
Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group
Due to the holidays, we are postponing our NOC support group until January. This safe, trauma-informed space will be facilitated by expert Tyler D. Roy Thurman, LCPC, and is designed specifically for caregivers supporting child survivors. There is still time to register! If you or someone you know is looking for connection, guidance, and community during some of the hardest moments, please contact Hannah Rosenthal, Youth and Family Clinical Coordinator, at (314) 325-4270 or hannah@kerengendefoundation.org.
Therapy and Support for Survivors
We continue to provide therapy and case management for youth survivors of child sexual abuse. Services are tailored to each child’s needs and focus on safety, healing and processing trauma, and building resilience.
Roshni Kurian, Jillian Hendricks, Dr. Germysha Little, and Veronica Sena.
This season, we’re thrilled to introduce three new Community Educators who have joined the Kerengende team:
Roshni Kurian, Jillian Hendricks, and Veronica Sena, our new Bilingual Community Educator.
Each brings unique skills, compassion, and a shared commitment to empowering youth and families through education and awareness. Their energy and dedication are helping Kerengende expand our reach into new classrooms and communities across Southern Illinois and the St. Louis region.
Together with Dr. Germysha Little, our Community Education team continues to grow—building trust, creating safe spaces, and helping children learn that their voices and boundaries matter. We are thrilled to have them on our team!
Celebrating our Supporters and Partnerships
We’re deeply grateful for the partners and funders who make this mission possible.
During this season of gratitude, we are honoring the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) for their steadfast support over the past three years. Their partnership has enabled us to expand prevention education, reach more schools, and respond quickly to families in need.
We also thank Ameren Illinois for its ongoing commitment and support to help prevent child sexual abuse and trafficking while empowering survivors and families.
New Partner:
We are thrilled to announce Cardinals Care as a new Kerengende Foundation supporter! We thank Cardinals Care for their belief in our mission. We are grateful for their support in funding critical emergency kits and prevention handbooks.
Join us in Making a Difference
Every donation fuels our ability to educate, protect, and support more children and families across Southern Illinois. Your support goes further than ever right now—especially as we navigate challenging times and work to ensure help reaches those who need it most. During this season of gratitude and generosity, we invite you to stand with us in creating safety, healing, and hope for our community.
We are deeply grateful for this community—your compassion, your partnership, and the belief you place in our mission every day. Because of you, children are safer, families are supported, and hope continues to grow across Southern Illinois.
Thank you for walking alongside us and for being part of the Kerengende Foundation family. We couldn’t do this work without you.
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