Summer Bucket

Its official, summertime is almost here! How will your kids kick off their break from school? Will it be action packed activities or filled with easy mornings and sleeping in?   Summers look different for each family. Your children may … Continued

Stewards

Is knowledge power or ignorance bliss? When dealing with child abuse, complacent ignorance does not mean the problem does not exist, but merely that we refuse to see it. Knowledge really is power but it also requires action. Educating ourselves … Continued

Sports

The player crouched in ready position near his third base post. Early in the season, his eyes beamed with determination and excitement. His dad stood nearby at the fence next to the visitor’s dugout calling, “Be ready. Just like practice. … Continued

Special Needs

“Mama why is that boy in that chair? What is that chair?” I immediately felt flustered and had no idea how to respond. My three year old was innocently asking about an older boy, about eight years old, and his … Continued

Shaken Baby

When the doctor first places your sweet bundle of joy into your arms, it’s hard to imagine the lifetime of joys and frustrations that are ahead of you. The first smile, first words or first steps can make your heart … Continued

Seuss

“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” – Dr. Seuss   Dr. Seuss knew how to engage children while communicating big messages to adults at the same time. What a great reminder – a person has rights, boundaries, worth, … Continued

Self-Care 2018

Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes professional level skills in child development, domestic arts and diplomacy – especially when you have more than one little one at home. Mothering, in particular, can be a challenging role in … Continued

Scrooge

Keeping Christmas All The Year   “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”   Written more than 150 years ago, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol … Continued

School Supplies

If you have been to Walmart lately, you likely have noticed the school supplies prominently displayed. Part of me cringes seeing this. They popped up not even a week after July 4th. I’m trying to enjoy and make the most … Continued

Ray of Hope FAQ

At Ray of Hope Advocacy Center, we hear a lot of tough questions with complicated, deep answers or, unfortunately, no easy answer. Our agency has been working hard this year to ensure that the community understands our organization and the … Continued