As we close out 2021, I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude to our donors who believe in our work enough to share their financial resources, our new and old partners who allow us to stand shoulder to shoulder with them to protect the children and teens they serve, to educators who have taken the time to complete our prevention trainings, to our founder, Ed Burr, and the MBF Board of Directors, and last but not least, to the MBF Team. I am so humbled to have the opportunity to serve as the leader of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.
2021, much like 2020, was a year of developing new ways to make sure every child/teen had the opportunity to receive our prevention education training. We know that due to Covid, many kids were trapped at home with their abusers and had no access to a Safe Adult. As an organization, we believe that it is an adult’s responsibility to protect children, however, we know that if kids are educated, they can help adults keep them safe. We know our training works to better protect kids of all ages and they need it now more than ever.
Our trainings are all built around two foundational elements: MBF 5 Safety Rules© and teaching children/teens how to identify and talk to Safe Adults. To our surprise this year, my husband and I received one of our Safe Adult bookmarks back from a child (not our child) who selected us as their Safe Adults. I can’t tell you what an honor that was to us personally, and me, professionally to see the training work and come back full circle. My hope is that everyone reading this blog will too have the opportunity to be selected as a child’s Safe Adult and I challenge you to complete the free trainings we offer so that you will know what to do if that child ever comes to you for help.
2022 will be a big year for MBF. It is our 25th Anniversary. What a milestone! When I pause to really think about what that means, it fills me with a sense of peace in what has been accomplished and excitement for what lies ahead. It is sad that prevention education is needed at all, but if it is, MBF is prepared to do whatever it takes to provide the tools and resources needed to protect children from bullying, all four types of child abuse, human trafficking, exploitation, and to keep them safe online. I am so proud of our team, Ed and the MBF Board, and all of the organizations and schools that have partnered with us.
With over 8 million children/teens reached with MBF Programs, 5,000 facilitators trained, and 35 states and 5 countries represented, the battle to protect kids is far from over. However, at MBF we are honored to Stand with You – Our parents, our schools, our child advocacy centers, our donors, our volunteers, our experts, and anyone else who believes that Every Child Deserves to be Safe. And to every child who has disclosed abuse as a result of receiving our training or any other training, we believe you and we stand tallest with you.
Happy New Year! May 2022 be the year that every adult and child receive prevention education training.
With love and gratitude,
Lynn Layton
MBF President/CEO
