ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S MAKEOVER PROJECT

Although it is easy to believe that child sexual abuse is perpetrated by strangers, the reality is that in most cases, abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. In fact, many times that abuse, or witness to violence occurred in the child’s home or in their bedroom.

Revisiting the scene where the abuse or crime took place often creates an additional trauma to children because their personal environment and safe place has been violated, leaving a stark reminder of what they experienced. We often hear from caregivers that their child refuses to sleep in their bedroom due to the hard memories created in what was supposed to be a secure space. In such cases, Alliance For Children offers practical support to facilitate healing through a special program called the Makeover Project.

The goal of our Makeover Project is to redesign living spaces for children who have been abused in their own homes and create a new, safe environment.

During a Makeover, we work together with community partners and volunteers to convert a child or teen’s bedroom from the place they experienced abuse to a reclaimed, safe space of their own. This often involves new bedding, curtains, furniture, paint, and other décor to revamp the space. Prior to the transformation, our Client Support Coordinator will meet with the child, assessing their needs, interests, favorite colors, and hobbies, providing the opportunity for the room to be tailormade to the child and their personality, while also serving their therapeutic needs.

We have also outfitted and redesigned other areas of the home if the abuse or crime took place outside of the bedroom. We recognize that the children we serve have a variety of needs and that no experience is the same.

Our hope in redesigning these spaces is that we are empowering the child by providing a new atmosphere, allowing them a chance to work towards healing. These projects are made possible through the support of our volunteers, donors, and the greater community. Coupled with a fresh coat of paint, it takes all of us to protect children and restore hope for Tarrant County's most vulnerable.

ALLIANCEFORCHILDREN.ORG