A Brave Vision: The Joyful Child Foundation's Mission to Protect Our Community's Children
By: Jessica Susolik
Even in our coastal community of Newport Beach, where families gather on sun-drenched beaches and children play freely in neighborhood parks, it's easy to forget the dangers that can lurk in even the safest-seeming places. But Erin Runnion, founder of The Joyful Child Foundation, knows all too well that we must remain vigilant in protecting our most precious resource -- our children.
On a summer day in 2002, Erin's world was shattered when her 5-year-old daughter Samantha was abducted while playing outside their home. Tragically, Samantha's young life was cut short, but her spirit lives on through the foundation created in her memory.
"I felt compelled to understand how something so horrible could happen," Erin shares. "The more I learned about crimes against children, the more determined I became to honor not only Samantha, but every child."
That determination gave birth to The Joyful Child Foundation and its cornerstone BRAVE initiative - a comprehensive personal safety education program designed to empower children with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.
The BRAVE curriculum goes far beyond outdated "stranger danger" concepts. Through age-appropriate, interactive lessons, children learn to identify unsafe situations, use their voices and bodies to protect themselves, and effectively communicate with trusted adults. Perhaps most importantly, BRAVE teaches children that if anyone ever tries to hurt or trick them, it is never their fault.
"We don't have to scare kids to empower them," Erin emphasizes. "When you give them power, that excites them. They want to assert their independence."
This empowering approach has already reached thousands of children across Orange County through in-person workshops. Now, The Joyful Child Foundation is expanding its impact with innovative new tools like the BRAVE Comic Book, which reinforces key safety lessons in an engaging format.
The foundation's ultimate vision is to bring BRAVE to every child in America. It's an ambitious goal, but one that Erin and her dedicated team of volunteers are determined to achieve -- with support from caring community members like you.
This October 26th, The Joyful Child Foundation will host its annual Joyful Gala at Strawberry Farms in Irvine. It's the organization's largest fundraiser, typically raising about $100,000 - nearly 40% of their annual operating budget. Attending the gala or making a donation are wonderful ways to support this vital work.
For those who can't attend, there are many other ways to get involved:
- Advocate for bringing BRAVE to your local schools
- Sponsor BRAVE Comic Books for vulnerable youth
- Participate in the annual Brave Race 5K/10K in February
- Make a tax-deductible donation of any amount
As we enjoy the beauty and safety of our Newport Beach community, let's remember Samantha and all the children who deserve to grow up free from fear and abuse. By supporting The Joyful Child Foundation, we can help create a world where every child's joy is protected.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.thejoyfulchild.org or email contact@thejoyfulchild.org.
TOP 5 TIPS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNERS (AGES 5 – 12):
No one has the right to hurt me!
If anyone makes me uncomfortable or tries to hurt me, it’s not okay and it’s not my fault, so I can yell, get away, and tell Safe Adults until I am safe.
It is brave to talk to Safe Adults about upsetting feelings and ask for help.
My private parts are covered by my bathing suit. No one should look at me without clothes unless I have a parent with me, like at the doctor’s office. If anyone tries to look at or touch my private parts, I know it is not okay so I will tell a Safe Adult I trust.
Safe Adults don’t ask kids they don’t know for help. If an older person I don’t know asks me for help, I will RUN, YELL, and TELL a Safe Adult. If I don’t see an adult I know, I can ask a police officer, teacher, cashier/clerk, or a mother/parent with young children.