Changing the Trajectory for Youth in Our Valley
Not every child is given the same starting line in life. Some grow up surrounded by stability. Others are surrounded by sirens, broken homes, or violence that never seems to stop. These are Our Valley’s high-risk minors: kids carrying Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, addiction, or instability.
In California, 1 in 5 children has experienced two or more ACEs. Research shows that the more ACEs a child endures, the higher their risk of dropping out of school, struggling with addiction, or ending up incarcerated. But here’s the truth: trauma is not destiny. With care, consistency, and community, the story can change.
That’s what Our Valley Cares was built for. Through mentorship, after-school programs, counseling, and community partnerships, we’re building a network of safe spaces and caring adults who step in early, before crisis defines a child’s life. Studies show that a single stable relationship with a caring adult can cut the effects of trauma in half. When Our Valley unites, the odds shift. A kid written off as a statistic can become a student, a leader, a neighbor.
High-risk doesn’t have to mean hopeless. With time, faith, and community, these kids don’t just survive—they rise.