Protective factors promote the health and well-bring of children and families. One of the most important protective factors is nurturing. According to the CDC, safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children and their caregivers provide a buffer against the effects of potential stressors.
The holiday season is a wonderful time to create memorable traditions that help provide nurturing environments. Here are some great ways to build traditions with your children:
- Think about what is important to you and your family during the holiday season, whether it be togetherness, community, family, or something else, and spend time talking about why these things are important.
- Take time during the holidays to practice gratitude. It can be as simple as creating a homemade thank you card for the mailman, a neighbor or a family member.
- Spend a little extra time reading a book together. Grab special holiday books from the library.
- Put up decorations together. Make paper snowflakes to hang from windows.
- Bake holiday cookies or cook a favorite meal together.
- Gather coats or blankets to donate during the holidays.
- Remind each other to breathe. The holidays can be stressful so talk about ways you can manage stress – go for walks, take some quiet moments, practice mindfulness.
The holidays are also a great time to volunteer or give to local non-profits that help your community.
The Child Advocacy Center of Niagara is a grant funded nonprofit agency that provides forensic interviews, therapeutic child abuse medical evaluations, evidence-based trauma specific counseling and victim advocacy services to children and families completely FREE of charge. We depend on support from our community to help us with our mission of providing a safe, comfortable, child friendly space for children.
We are always in need items, and we hope this season you will choose to include the CAC of Niagara in your holiday giving. There are many ways and lots of opportunities to give. Each and every donation is needed and appreciated.
Ways you can help support the CAC:
- Make a monetary donation. CAC of Niagara Donation Page
- Donate an item on our Amazon Wish List.
- We have an Amazon Wish List that is constantly updated with items identified by our staff. Donating an item directly from Amazon is easy and convenient, and the items ship to our center.
Our wish lists stay active all year long!
- We have an Amazon Wish List that is constantly updated with items identified by our staff. Donating an item directly from Amazon is easy and convenient, and the items ship to our center.
- Host a fundraiser or drive, or you can choose to donate a % of your raised funds to the CAC! Contact the CAC for more info or email, marissa.virtuoso@nfmmc.org
- Help us raise awareness on social media, share our posts and monthly blog posts.
- Facebook: @cacofniagara
- Twitter/X: @cacniagara
- Host a training at your organization. We offer many community presentations. Contact the CAC to schedule or email, marissa.virtuoso@nfmmc.org.
- Make the call! If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated, call the NY State Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-342-3720
