Winter Newsletters

CYN’s 15th Annual Fall Harvest Auction


Bids for Kids

During the month of November CYN held its 15th annual Fall Harvest Auction “Bids for Kids”. We changed the format from a traditional live auction to a virtual auction posted on the internet.

We are extremely grateful for the community response and support. This year CYN raised approximately $10,000.00 which will help subsidize client’s fees at CYN as well as support our free child abuse prevention services.

Take A Step For Kids 5K 10K Run/Walk

CYN’s 8th annual run walk “Take a Step for Kid’s” is scheduled for April 16th, 2011 at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.

This event was initially started as a public awareness campaign to sensitize the public regarding the silent epidemic of child sexual abuse. Community Youth Network Counseling Center in collaboration with local radio station WXLC 102.3 FM has aired approximately 210 60 second commercials regarding the pervasiveness of child sexual abuse over the past three years. Reviewing the local census data, we have conservatively estimated that there are approximately 30,000 child sexual abuse victims that have not come forward or disclosed their abuse in Lake County alone.



Last year we were extremely grateful for the outpouring of community support as 800 people participated in the run walk and another 200 attended the event.

This year we will again partner with WXLC 102.3 FM to increase public awareness regarding the silent epidemic of child sexual abuse. For more information regarding this event please review our website at www.takeastepforkids.org and our video on You Tube titled “take step for kids”.

Bikers Against Abuse Motorcycle Run

Last July 25th we held our now second annual motorcycle run “Bikers Against Abuse”. Registration began at Jessie Oaks in Gages Lake. This past year 65 bikers and 100 individuals participated in our 100 mile ride through northern Lake county, southern Wisconsin and McHenry.

We were very grateful to partner with several excellent establishments that were biker friendly and supportive of the cause. The locations included Jessie Oaks, the world famous Brat Stop, Chopper’s of Antioch, Mulligan’s in McHenry, and Broken Oar. The after party celebration at Jessie Oaks was catered by Buffalo Wild Wings and Sweet Tomatoes. Live music was provided by Mistaken Identity. For a look at photos of the event check out our website at www.bikersagainstabuse.org This year we have scheduled the event for 7/24/11. Additional information regarding the event will be available soon on our website.



A CLIENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH SEXUAL ABUSE

HEALING

Jenny, a 29 year old Hispanic single woman, requested therapeutic services to address her inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, startle response, flashbacks, an inability to enjoy sexual activity and several other common symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has also struggled with substance abuse, depression and unhealthy relationships.

In treatment Jenny disclosed that she had been sexually molested from the age of 5 until she was 17 by three different family members and a close family friend. Her mother had walked in on Jenny being molested by her maternal uncle when she was 5 and sent her uncle (mother’s brother) out of the room and scolded Jenny for her behavior and made her promise to never tell anyone or her Mom would get in trouble. How confusing for a little girl, to be blamed for something she didn’t do and promise secrecy to her mother who was supposed to protect her. This uncle stopped his sexual abuse of Jenny. Over the next 12 years she was again sexually assaulted by three others, two additional family members and a close family friend. The severity of her sexual abuse progressed as she got older.

Jenny agreed to being treated at CYN Counseling Center with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; an evidenced based treatment to resolve and integrate trauma. In therapy she learned additional coping skills to manage the flashbacks, nightmares and painful memories without relying on drugs or alcohol to numb her pain. She was also re-referred to substance abuse support groups as an adjunct service. Through the utilization of EMDR she was able to revisit the painful traumatic memories that had haunted her through most of her life. Like a lot of sexual abuse victims, Jenny felt responsible for the abuse that somehow she had brought it on. The shame and guilt prevented her like the majority of sexual abuse victims from coming forward and disclosing her terrible secrete. Research studies have consistently identified that the majority of child sexual abuse victims never disclose their abuse and/or seek out help and support. Jenny’s journey consisted of revisiting the painful and toxic memories, emotions, physiological responses and thinking errors. As she processed her traumatic experiences she was able to make sense out of the abuse. She was able to work through the painful memories and integrate them so they were no longer overwhelming and or devastating when she thought about them. As she progressed through treatment her symptoms quickly began to decrease and then alleviate completely. Within a six month period Jenny had resolved and worked through her traumatic sexual abuse history. Jenny no longer suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and considers herself a survivor, not a victim.



Because of your ongoing support, CYN Counseling Center is able to successfully provide hope, healing and wholeness to individuals like Jenny. Any contribution to support CYN Counseling Center’s mission large or small is greatly appreciated.