Dear Friends,
As we reflect on the milestones of the past year and look ahead to the opportunities that 2024 holds, I am inspired by the resilience and compassion that define our community.
The impact, program, and organizational updates we share below reflect the tangible results of our collective efforts. Your support isn’t just a donation; it’s a lifeline for those regaining their voice and their power.
To keep this lifeline going, the Kerengende Foundation is hiring for a Community Educator role! Click here to learn more. If you or someone you know is passionate about community outreach and education and meets the qualifications- please submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Amber Clayborne at amber.clayborne@kerengendefoundation.org.
Thank you for your partnership as we continue to educate and protect our youth and champion the rights and dignity of every survivor.
With gratitude,
Amber Clayborne, Founder
Black History Month
We know that historically, Black women and children have been disproportionately affected by sexual violence. This is why Kerengende is called to serve. In recognition of Black History Month, we will be celebrating notable Black women, both past and present, on social media throughout the month. Please follow along on Instagram and Facebook. During Black History Month, and the entire year, we seek to address the gap in access to care. That’s why we work predominantly in Black and Brown communities, empowering women and children with education and resources to respond to and ultimately prevent sexual violence. Thank you for standing with us in this work.
2022-2023 Impact
We are excited to share highlights of our impact from 2022-2023! These results speak to our progress in fulfilling our vision to strengthen communities, decrease sexual offenses and human trafficking, and educate youth to stay aware of their safety and that of their peers.
Overall Results
- In the past two years we doubled the number of individuals we reached through our programming, from 500 to over 1,000.
- We nearly doubled our program offerings from 20 workshops and community education events in 2022 to 37 in 2023.
Case Management, Advocacy, and Support for Survivors and Families
- We reached over 10 individuals and families through our case management and direct services programs in 2023. We have also offered family emergency support including rent payment, electricity payment, and clothes and supplies.
- Since launching our individualized intervention services, we have provided 72 sessions of direct counseling to survivors and of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and their families.
2022-2023 Survey Highlights
Adult and Teen Workshops in the Community:
- 96% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “this workshop increased my knowledge of child sexual abuse prevention.”
- 95% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would “recommend this workshop to others.”
- 91% of respondents rate the overall quality of our workshops as excellent or good.
Student Results
- At the end of our pilot six-week Healthy Relationships program to female students at Wirth/Parks Middle School in Cahokia, Illinois, 97% of respondents said they know how to get help if someone is harming them or a friend.
Non-Offending Caregiver Support Groups:
- 100% of respondents in our pilot Non-offending Caregiver Support Group in 2023 reported that the support groups felt like a safe space, and 100% strongly agreed “I learned more about the impact that sexual abuse has on families.”
Program Updates
Healthy Relationships Workshops at Wirth/Parks Middle School
During the fall semester of 2023, Kerengende Foundation developed and expanded our curriculum to provide a comprehensive six-week healthy relationships course to 225 sixth-eighth grade girls at Wirth/Parks Middle School in Cahokia, IL. These bright young minds delved into essential topics such as self-esteem, communication, and healthy versus unhealthy relationships. They also learned to recognize red flags of grooming and sexual abuse, staying safe in online relationships, and understanding the dangers of human trafficking.
Photos Above: Students at Wirth/Parks Middle School participating in our Healthy Relationships workshop
“I would love to have more classes like this… Please come to Belleville next school year!”
Wirth/Parks Middle School student
Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group
Last month, we launched the second round of our Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group. Led by the compassionate and skilled facilitator Marilyn Holmes, LCPC, ATR-BC, this group provides a space for parents and caregivers whose children have experienced sexual abuse or human trafficking. Through the group, participants share experiences, gain insights, and foster a supportive community.
Bi-weekly sessions take place on Monday nights from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in Belleville, IL and are free of charge thanks to your support. We still have available spaces for those interested in participating! If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group, please reach out to Marilyn Holmes at marilyn.holmes.j@gmail.com.
Partnership with University of Guanajuato!
Photos Above: Aaron Joseph, Graphic Designer and Christina Oyebade, Illustrator of Chima Wants to Know about Boundaries, joined me for a virtual presentation with the students of Professor Ibarra’s class on the process of translating our materials.
Kerengende partnered with Catchafire and the University of Guanajuato in Mexico to have our materials translated into Spanish. Catchafire memberships are made possible through a partnership between Missouri Foundation for Health and the St. Louis Community Foundation.
After tabling at the Latino Round Table’s Health Fair in Fairmount City last fall, we recognized a need to reach our local Spanish speaking communities. Through Catchafire, we partnered with professor Eva Ibarra. Her class translated Kerengende Foundation’s sexual abuse prevention booklet, Chima Comic series, and community education materials. This translation broadens Kerengende’s impact as we can now increase the access to sexual abuse prevention services and materials to Spanish speaking communities.
Upcoming
Virtual Workshop with Dr. Tyffani Dent
On Thursday, March 21st at 11:00 am CT, Dr. Tiffani Dent will present Supporting Black Girls: Addressing Trauma Experiences on the Continuum
Research has demonstrated the failure of systems to provide needed supports for Black girls to be emotionally healthy. When Black girls experience trauma or engage in problematic decisions, system responses are often disproportionately harsh and do not meet their needs.
This presentation will explore research addressing biases against Black girls, system failures, and the role of intersectionality in meeting the needs of Black girls who have experienced and/or caused trauma.
Healthy Relationships Workshops with Chestnut Health This Spring
We are excited to collaborate with Chestnut Health System’s Pregnancy Prevention Program to facilitate lessons from our Healthy relationship curriculum to co-ed classrooms in Cahokia middle schools.
Gratitude
Marillac Mission Fund – We are thrilled to share that we received a generous grant from Marillac Mission Fund (MMF) to provide Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse Prevention and Support in St. Louis Metro East. This is our second grant from MMF, and we are grateful for MMF’s belief in our mission. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we work to strengthen our communities and decrease human trafficking and sexual offenses.
Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund – Thank you Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund for putting together 30 emergency SOS kits last month! We are excited to offer these bags stocked with clothes, hygiene kits and blankets to youth in transition in our communities.We would also like to thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – O’Fallon Illinois Stake for the generous grant which made these kits possible.
We would also like to thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – O’Fallon Illinois Stake for the generous grant which made these kits possible.
Photos Above: Volunteers from Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund helped us assemble SOS kits. Thank you for your support!
Now Hiring:
As mentioned above, we are currently seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as Community Educator! Through this role, the Community Educator will work closely with the Executive Director to implement and expand our prevention and awareness programs. This position will present workshops and presentations pertaining to trauma prevention, healthy relationships, and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention to teens, adults, and community organizations. Click here to learn more about the details and requirements of this role.
If you or someone you know is passionate about community outreach and education and meets the qualifications for this role – please submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Amber Clayborne at
You can make an impact
Here are some things you can do to partner with us and take action against human trafficking:
- Make a Monetary Donation: Your monetary donation to Kerengende Foundation could provide a survivor access to therapy where they begin to heal, a workshop that teaches a vulnerable teen how to recognize the warning signs of trafficking in our region, or a support group for a parent learning to navigate life after abuse.
- Donate Supplies and Materials: As we grow to support more survivors and conduct more preventative workshops, we are always in need of in-kind donations! Toothbrushes, snacks, and personal hygiene items are always gratefully received by the clients we serve. If you are interested in donating in-kind, please contact us using our Contact Form.
- Volunteer: Use your time and talents to educate your community and work to end child sexual abuse and human trafficking! If you are interested in our current volunteer opportunities, please contact us using our Contact Form.
- Share Kerengende Foundation Posts on Social Media: Information leads to awareness and an aware community can create change! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and invite your friends to do the same.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we work to create lasting change for our clients and our community.