TIP Girl, 13 years old

Wish submitted by:

TIP s a therapeutic program that serves children who are involved in Children's Services due to abuse and neglect. We help support the attachment and behavioral needs as they are transitioning between homes, processing their trauma and working on developmental skills. Besides providing treatment services, we try to give them a network of people who can be supports at home, school and in the community. We often are asked to provide basic needs such as clothes, beds, furniture and toys and we love to try to connect them with people who can help.

At TIP, kids are in a therapeutic setting during the day so they can participate in mental health, OT, PT and Speech services. While there they are in groups to help them practice social skills, coping skills and understand body safety. One great activity that the children get to take part in is gardening. The kids are encouraged to tend to flowers or vegetables from seed until grown. Through this activity we teach them the importance of being gentle and taking care of something else. It is a great activity for so many young children who have not had the experiences of others taking care of them properly and being gentle with them, so need to practice this skill.