Changing Minds: Chad's Story

The story of Chad shows how a supportive and caring adult can help a child overcome childhood trauma and exposure to violence. Each year, nearly 60% of youth are exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities. Recent studies demonstrate how observing violence has a lasting negative impact on a child’s brain and their cognitive development. Over time, exposure to violence during childhood is significantly correlated with negative outcomes such as psychological issues, adverse behavior, and serious illnesses.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Futures Without Violence, and the Ad Council have developed the Changing Minds campaign, as part of the Defending Childhood Initiative, to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of children’s exposure to violence and the trauma that may result; motivate adults to be more caring, concerned, and supportive figures to the children around them; and support programs and practices that help to make homes, schools, and communities safer for children and youth.

One of the biggest predictors of a child’s ability to be resilient in the face of trauma is interacting with a caring adult. Through everyday gestures, any adult in a child’s life can vastly increase that child’s opportunity for success. Learn how your everyday gestures can help a child in your life at ChangingMindsNOW.org.