Two resident advocates at the Nest, the Lincoln County shelter for domestic violence victims, recently designed a program to help the children living here.
Miriam Moreno and Marianne Baker collaboratively created a program to engage children in educational activities, help them cope with life’s circumstances, and to build confidence and self esteem. Statistics show that over 3 million children witness violence in their home each year. Those who see and hear violence in the home suffer physically and emotionally.
In 2011, more than 60 children, who have witnessed domestic violence, have lived at the Nest at some point. Children here now have a special program to keep them busy with fun activities. The program includes arts and crafts, homework time and tutoring, game time, reading programs, educational DVDs, cooking and exercising.
Moreno said the idea for the program began when a family arrived at the Nest. Mom was involved in the intake process, and Moreno could sense the two children with her had been through a challenging time. To allow the mother to get checked in, Moreno took the children to conference room table and began an art project. They cut out shapes, drew pictures, glitter painted and made beautiful art.
As the children were working, the little boy opened up and talked to Moreno about what had happened at home. This was the first for Moreno because the children usually don’t come right out and talk about their difficult home life.
“I was so surprised that he felt comfortable enough to speak out … he trusted me,” said Moreno, who has worked at the Nest for a year and a half. “I knew then, that the Nest needed an enhanced program for children. We have always focused on the moms and helping them ret the help they need, and now we are putting equal focus on ensuring the kids receive the extra services too.”
One night, when a group of moms were doing Zumba, an exercise class, there was a little boy quietly watching from behind the corner. He began doing the same steps in the corner. Moreno noticed and encouraged him to join. Now, the children’s program includes a Zumba for kids.
“Our activities divert their worries about what’s happening in their family and refocuses their energy on something positive,” she said. “The children are victims and like the mothers, can feel stressed too.”
Moreno loves the artwork that the children of the Nest leave for her. She has a cabinet full of drawings and notes of thanks and love for her and the staff. A 12-year-old girl, who loved flowers, left Moreno a poster-size heart mosaic made of hand drawn and cutout flowers; it was a project that she and Moreno had worked on together for weeks.
“We are truly a family here,” Moreno said. “Our children’s program is a way for us to connect with the children who live here. The reward for us is the gratitude the children express.”
Pictured is Miriam Moreno, Advocate at the Nest.