Beginning a new life is a daunting challenge for anyone. For the littlest, and all too often unheard, victims of domestic violence, recovering from the trauma of abuse and rebuilding their lives is almost insurmountable. As in other shelters across the nation, children represent the largest population My Sister's Place serves. Most times they arrive at our emergency shelter suddenly, and may be struggling with the loss of their other family members, pets and favorite playthings. Without much warning, they find themselves in a new home teeming with other families. The adjustment can be overwhelming.

In addition to the challenge of adjusting to a new home and school, the children of My Sister's Place are fifteen times more likely to have been abused and neglected than their peers. Domestic violence has a tremendous and lifelong impact on children. Child witnesses of abuse in the home are three times more likely to become batters later in life. Children of domestic violence display emotional and behavioral disturbances as diverse as withdrawal, low self-esteem, nightmares, self-blame and aggression against peers, family members and property.

My Sister's Place recognizes the critical need to repair the trauma inflected on child witnesses and survivors of domestic violence. Children receive individual counseling, play therapy, therapeutic recreational activities, and support from volunteers and mentors. As a result of the care children receive at MSP they:

• Demonstrate significant improvements in behavior and coping skills after receiving counseling.
• Become less withdrawn.
• Learn to verbalize their feelings.
• Feel better about themselves.
• Perform better in school.