Stories from Safe & Sound

*Felipe, a Spanish-speaking dad with two young daughters, learned about Safe & Sound when he was overwhelmed and struggling to be an only parent after his partner passed away. Felipe urgently needed support in creating an environment where his young daughters could learn and thrive. With the help of the Safe & Sound Clinical Care Coordination team, Felipe started in the Integrated Family Services (IFS) program—tailored for families living in conditions that create the highest risk for child abuse and neglect. Through this program, Felipe’s youngest daughter developed new social-emotional skills in Safe & Sound’s Playroom, paving the way for a successful transition to preschool. With the counselors’ help, Felipe and his daughters now have stable housing and access to additional community resources. Felipe recently graduated from the IFS program, but enjoys staying connected through our TALK Line, a 24-hour 7 days a week parental support.

As August approached, *Jessica was overwhelmed. Her three kids needed school supplies, but she could barely afford rent. A year ago, she had left an abusive relationship and was struggling to raise her children alone. Feeling isolated and unsure where to turn, she called Safe & Sound’s parental stress TALK Line.

A friendly volunteer listened and encouraged her to visit the Safe & Sound family support center. There, she found that Old Republic Title Co., a generous donor, had provided backpacks and school supplies. The staff’s kindness and warm reception touched Jessica, and her children loved playing in the Therapeutic Children’s Playroom. They left ready for school, each with a backpack full of supplies, and Jessica felt supported and hopeful for the first time in a long while.

In San Francisco, unsure where to turn, Vivian heard about Safe & Sound and reached out to us. Our staff connected her with temporary shelter and emergency food. The trauma of domestic abuse and upheaval affected Ethan, who acted out in school, and Emma, who became withdrawn. They were dealing not only with the upheaval of moving, a new school, and a new life, but also with the trauma of witnessing violence against their mother. Vivian struggled with how to be the best parent she could be. 

The family enrolled in the Integrated Family Services, where they were surrounded by a team dedicated to building protective factors to keep them safe and help them heal individually and as a family. 

Two years later, Vivian, Emma, and Ethan have graduated from the program and are thriving.