From the first momentto everything still ahead.
The moments right after a child speaks up matter. So do the weeks, months and years that follow. Our work is built around both.
Four pillarsguide everything we do.
Together they follow the journey a family takes, from the first comfort item placed into a child’s hands to the experiences that help them rediscover joy.
Respond
Meet the child with comfort. Meet the caregiver with direction.
The first moments after a disclosure can be frightening and confusing. From the very beginning, the child and their safe caregiver should know they are not alone.
- A comfort lamb for the child to keep
- A ROAR children’s book, written in gentle words
- A caregiver packet that answers “What do I do now?”
Offer
Meaningful support for the road ahead.
Our support does not end after the first meeting. The emotional, practical and financial weight of what comes next can last for months, and we stay close through it.
- Caregiver education and resource navigation
- Help with therapy, legal and travel costs
- Ongoing check-ins with the family
Advocate
Help children be heard, protected and supported.
Every child deserves to have their voice taken seriously. We help caregivers understand the systems they meet, and we help our community respond well when a child speaks.
- Connection to trauma-informed professionals
- Plain-language guides to the process
- Community education for the adults around children
Rebuild
Help children rediscover what comes next.
A child’s life should never be defined by what happened to them. Healing makes room for safety, trust and confidence again, and for laughing, playing and simply being a kid.
- Family days and seasonal celebrations
- Sponsored experiences and milestones
- A community for caregivers, too
We don’t build programsjust to have more programs.
We listen to families, work with professionals and look for the gaps. Every new idea has to answer at least one of four questions.
- How are we responding?
- What are we offering?
- How are we advocating?
- How are we helping families rebuild?
Our programs
- Respond
First-Response Comfort Program
A comfort lamb for the child and a resource packet for their caregiver, in the first hours after disclosure.
Learn about this program - Advocate
Resource & Connection Network
A trusted map of Nashville professionals and organizations, so caregivers never have to search alone.
Learn about this program - Offer
Family Assistance Fund
Help with the costs of protecting a child, from therapy and legal fees to gas money for appointments.
Learn about this program - Rebuild
Family Days & Events
Seasonal celebrations and family days built around joy, not around what brought a family to ROAR.
Learn about this program - Advocate
Community Education
Workshops that help the adults around children respond well when a child speaks up.
Learn about this program