When domestic violence affects a family, children often carry the impact long after the crisis ends. Domestic violence affects children even when they are not the direct target of the abuse, and there is a high co-occurrence between domestic violence and child abuse, meaning many children in these homes experience abuse themselves as well.
Even when they are not physically harmed, exposure to violence can shape how they see the world, affecting their sense of safety, emotional health, relationships, and ability to focus in school. But trauma does not have to determine a child’s future. Through the Greene County Family Justice Center, a nationally recognized model is bringing an opportunity for healing and growth to local families.
Programs built on research and long-term support can help children recover, build resilience, and believe in their ability to succeed. Camp HOPE is an evidence-based intervention program designed to help children exposed to domestic violence heal, grow, and develop the confidence to imagine a better future. Children who witness or experience violence in their homes are significantly more likely to become victims or perpetrators of intimate partner violence as adults. By helping children process and transform their trauma into resilience and hope, Camp HOPE is also a prevention program, helping break the intergenerational cycle of abuse.
Why Hope Matters
Research shows that children exposed to domestic violence face higher risks for anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and academic difficulties. Many have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can increase the likelihood of long-term health and social challenges.
However, studies also show that hope is one of the strongest protective factors for children facing adversity. Hope is more than optimism. It is active, including things like:
- Setting meaningful goals
- Believing those goals are achievable
- Identifying pathways to reach them
Higher levels of hope are associated with:
- Improved academic achievement
- Better mental health and well-being
- Greater life satisfaction and sense of purpose
Camp HOPE is built around the Science of Hope, helping children move from surviving their experiences to actively shaping their future.
What Is Camp HOPE?
Camp HOPE is part of Camp HOPE America, a national initiative of Alliance for HOPE International and the Family Justice Center movement. While many people think of it as a summer camp, the program is actually a year-round mentoring and leadership experience for children impacted by domestic violence.
Camp HOPE participants receive:
- Trauma-informed support from trained staff and mentors
- Positive outdoor and team-based experiences
- Ongoing encouragement and relationship-building
- Leadership development and goal-setting opportunities
- A supportive peer community of children with similar experiences
During a single week of camp, youth receive more than 140 hours of structured, intentional support, with continued connection throughout the year, offering a highly cost-effective way to provide comprehensive support and healing, as the average cost for a full year of Camp HOPE programming per child is less than that of six individual therapy sessions.
Evidence-Based Results
Camp HOPE America is evaluated nationally each year, with data from more than 1,400 campers across the United States in the 2024 impact evaluation.
Four key findings:
- Significant increases in hope and resilience
- Children’s Hope Scale scores increased significantly from pre-camp to a 30-day follow-up.
- Resilience scores also showed statistically significant improvement over time.
- Growth in character strengths
Counselors observed significant increases in:
- Grit
- Optimism
- Self-control
- Gratitude
- Curiosity
- Social intelligence
- Zest (energy and engagement toward goals)
- Measurable long-term outcomes
Youth who participate in Camp HOPE programs are:
- 55% more likely to enroll in college
- 130% more likely to hold leadership roles
- 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
- 90% likely to mentor others
- Other evaluations report approximately:
- 15% increases in hope
- 20% growth in resilience
These findings reinforce research that shows when children develop hope and supportive relationships, improvements extend into academics, leadership, and long-term life success, benefiting not just the individual child, but strengthening families and contributing to a healthier, more resilient community as a whole.
Part of the Family Justice Center Model
Camp HOPE operates within the Family Justice Center model, which brings multiple services together in one safe location for survivors of domestic violence and their families. This integrated approach helps stabilize the entire family while addressing the often-overlooked impact of domestic violence on children.
Local Impact, Community Effort
Camp HOPE programs now operate in more than 50 communities nationwide, serving over 3,000 children each year and more than 30,000 youth to date. Because participation is offered at no cost to families and includes year-round mentoring, local partnerships, volunteers, and donors play a vital role in sustaining the program and expanding access.
How the Community Can Help
Supporting Camp HOPE is one way the community can help children affected by domestic violence move toward healing and stability.
Community members can:
- Make a financial contribution to support camp experiences and year-round mentoring.
- Volunteer to support programming and events.
- Share information to help families connect with available resources.
Opportunities to get involved are available year-round and summer only, allowing individuals and organizations to contribute in ways that fit their time and capacity. For volunteer/internship opportunities, contact TaylorM@myharmonyhouse.org.
About Greene County Family Justice Center
The Greene County Family Justice Center is a non-profit collaborative of local agencies offering comprehensive services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence. Our services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and we welcome survivors at any point in their process. We partner with local non-profit service providers as well as local law enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and Children’s Division to make victim services more accessible and completely voluntary. If you do not want to participate in the criminal justice process, we support you.
Our vision is a future where we all work together to meet the needs of domestic violence and human trafficking survivors through comprehensive and accessible services, education, and perpetrator accountability. Through a coordinated framework and co-located response, we strive to break the vicious generational cycle and community impact of domestic violence and resulting victimizations.
We can help you plan for your safety whether you plan to stay in the relationship, or you are actively trying to escape. All our services are free, confidential and survivor centered. Have questions about what services are available? Visit us at 1418 E. Pythian Street or give us a call at 417-874-2600. We are open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. For after-hours assistance, call the Harmony House/Victim Center’s 24-hour safe line at 417-864-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.