Since 2005, Child Centered Solutions (CCS) has helped give a voice to children in Oregon. From directly representing children to coaching attorneys, to creating the Children's Bill of Rights, CCS helps children who are stuck in the middle of families in conflict. The work CCS does is not glamorous. It's necessary. So many children feel powerless, stuck between fighting parents without many people to turn to. When the children do find advocates, frequently those advocates are not well-trained in understanding the children's special needs. CCS strives to provide resources to educate both children and those in a position to help them. With CCS's help, more children in Oregon are growing up happy and healthy, while fewer children are suffering the negative and destructive impact of family conflict. Child Centered Solution is a great organization and can use all the help it can get.
The time volunteering at Child Center Solutions was the most pleasant working experience so far. At CCS i was able to further understand the value of helping others. This is a great organization aimed at helping the victims of divorce, the children. Along with a sense of accomplishment i was able to learn a lot from my enthusiastic co-workers.
As a volunteer at CCS, I was happy to work with a group so focused on the well being and needs of children during such a stressful process. Too often parents focus on their own wants and needs during divorce proceedings, CCS rightfully focuses the attention back on the children affected by the family conflicts.
I volunteered for Child Centered Solutions after I graduated high school. I saw first hand the impact the organization had on families and children in need of support during difficult times. When I volunteered at CCS, attorneys provided pro bono services for children involved in custody battles. It was reassuring to realize that there are organizations whose sole mission is to be the voice of a child who might have been forgotten about during a difficult family time. Although CCS does not provide legal representation anymore, their resources for parents and professionals offer advice and strategies for parenting plans, communicating with the child's school and expectant behaviors of the child during a family conflict.
CCS fills a critical niche for families going through difficult times. Not only are they there to provide the various documents and paperwork required during such a period, but the care and child-centric focus they also provide is outstanding.
Child Centered Solutions helped my family and I get through some very tough times. They are always willing to share a smiling face and are quick to answer any questions we have. I always get quick responses to any emails and phone calls I make. I will definitely use CCS if I ever need to again and definitely will be sure to recommend to anyone else who is getting divorced and wants to help their family.
The best charities are the ones that look to break the cycle of repeated problems. Often those that are involved in conflict at a young age are the ones that find themselves in similar situations in adulthood. Child Centered Solutions is striving to break this cycle by reaching children as they battle through their family's conflict. Children need a voice and answers just as much as adults. CCS has taken on the large and ambitious role of getting that voice to children and those that interact with them on a daily basis.
Child Centered Solutions provides critical resources to children and families during periods of extreme conflict. The materials that have been authored and compiled by Child Centered Solutions, are designed to educate families and professionals on how to mitigate the impact of the crisis on children. Materials are also provided to the children to help them process what is going on within their families.
Child Centered Solutions helps parents and professionals give a voice to children. Community education, traning seminars for judges, lawyers, and other professionals, and the published Children's Bill of Rights are direct examples of the work Child Centered Solutions accomplishes on behalf of children who experience family conflict.
As a "bonus" parent to two wonderful step-sons, I am honored to serve as a Board member to this valuable organization. I had always been a supporter of the mission of Child Centered Solutions, however my support and interest reached new heights when I became a "bonus" parent in 2008.
Children need a voice when they are caught in family disputes. I have seen first hand the assistance and training that parents and professionals receive from Child Centered Solutions. Children in our community benefit from the mission and work of this organization. In countless ways, our community is better as a result.
Child Centered Solutions is a great resource for any families who are going through conflict, whether it be divorce, or other transition. It educates families so they are able to communicate with their children and give them a voice. The children's bill of rights is an excellent tool, and empowers children who otherwise get lost in conflict, and holds adults accountable for their behavior.
Child's Bill of Rights:
As a child, I have the following rights and I need you, my Mom and Dad, to respect these rights:
1. The right not to be asked to "choose sides" between my Mom and Dad
2. The right to express, or not express, my feelings.
3. The right to have a unique relationship with each of my parents without the other making me feel guilty about it.
4. The right to freely and privately communicate with both my Mom and Dad, and not to be asked questions by either parent about the other.
5. The right to be treated as a person and not as a pawn, possession or negotiating chip.
6. The right not to be expected to be a spy or messenger.
7. The right not to hear either Mom or Dad say bad things about the other.
8. The right to have my life change as little as possible while my Mom and Dad work out their problems.
9. The right to have my own life and remain a child.
10. The right to expect you to be my parents, not my friends.
11. The right not to be expected to be my parents' confidante or companion.
12. The right to have what is in my best interest protected at all times.
I agree: Thank you. I love you both. I agree:
_______________ ________________________ _________________
Mom Child Dad
