I actually really love my job. (Which might sound surprising, because I spend my days working with kids who have experienced child abuse.)

There is not really a "typical day at work" in a job like this, but most days can probably consist of sitting on the floor playing in a sandbox, making friendship bracelets, or building Legos alongside a child. This child might be joking, avoiding, changing the subject, or doing anything but talking about the reason why they are actually here. Usually, I go with it, because I know that’s part of the process; we can't rush it!

On other days, kids are ready to talk. They come in and just say it. They ask the hard questions. They want to understand what happened to them, and it takes courage to speak up like that. There are so many moments where kids will share something in therapy and say "I have never told anybody that before" and it is a very high honor to be that safe person for a child.

In between sessions, I’m meeting with parents, coordinating with schools, DAs, and multidisciplinary teams. I am advocating, planning, documenting, calling, etc... It’s a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure kids are actually supported in a way that helps.

And even though this is a job that I choose, it is still very heavy work. There are moments that stick with me, and nights where it’s hard to turn it off, and sometimes I just need a good cry. The mutual impact of trauma therapy is intense, but it’s also incredibly rewarding ♡

Above all, I do this work because I know and believe that healing is possible!!!!

I see kids who thought it was their fault start to understand it wasn’t.
I see kids go from avoiding everything to finally being able to talk about it without fear or shame.
I see children begin to feel safer, more confident, more like themselves again. Kids will be kids once more!

These kids are unbelievably strong, and they’ve taught me more than I can put into words. I am honored to be part of their healing process.

✩ Denver Children’s Advocacy Center ✩ is a space where kids can feel safe enough to do this work, and it is a place where I have support too! DCAC is full of the people I can lean on, learn from, and grow with.

Obviously I am saying all this for a reason, and it is because the funding matters more than people realize.

It’s what allows me (personally) to:

     ★order therapy supplies a kid actually asks for

     ★get a family to session when transportation is a barrier

     ★attend trainings so I can keep doing this work well

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this campaign is called Hope Starts Here—which feels true when you see it up close.

If you’re wondering what donations support (other than everything):

• $25 → prevention education for a kid
• $125 → a therapy session
• $900 → a forensic interview + advocacy (so a child only has to tell their story once)

Last year I raised $1,835 for DCAC and was the top staff fundraiser ☺︎ which meant a lot to me!! If you donated last year, THANK YOU!!! ❤︎⁠ no pressure at all to give again. If you want to contribute, I really appreciate it ❤︎⁠ if you can't donate right now, no worries! please feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested in learning more or donating❤︎⁠

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

❤︎⁠ Ashley Khan, LCSW ❤︎⁠

Bilingual Child and Family Therapist at Denver Children's Advocacy Center⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀