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Double your gift today — All Gifts Matched — $25k Challenge — Now to Dec. 31!
“Although I was sad when my 17-year-old son left home, I realized that, thanks to Kidpower, he was going out into the world far better prepared than his father or I had been.” ~ Irene, Mom
Thanks to generous donations from people like you, countless kids know how to take charge of their safety, and countless parents, including me, have more peace of mind!
This is a personal family story. When my husband and I took our son Arend to the airport to go to New York to a summer internship, I was overwhelmed with poignant feelings. I was so happy for him — and missing him already! Arend put his arm around my shoulders and asked, “Do you have any advice for me, Mom?”
Knowing New York City, I sighed and said, “Please look both ways before you cross the street.”
“In other words, Mom,” he smiled, deliberately straightening up and looking around, “you want me to Walk With Awareness and Confidence!”
As I watched my son stride away though the airport – aware, calm, confident, and joyful — off to see the world, I comforted myself, knowing how many skills he had learned through our work with Kidpower about staying safe – and did my best to let go of my worries. We waved until our son was out of sight.
Many parents share similar stories, saying, “Kidpower helped me allow my child to grow up!” Knowing Kidpower has given the gifts of independence and safety for kids — and of peace of mind for their parents — warms our hearts! We invite you to help us continue to provide resources to millions of families around the world.
If you have already donated, we deeply appreciate your support. THANK YOU!
There is still time to have your donations DOUBLED!
Please know your gifts in any amount helps us bring skills for safety, healthy relationships, and freedom from the misery of bullying and abuse to people in need.
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Remember: Every dollar does wonders!
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Published: December 29, 2019 | Last Updated: December 29, 2019
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director
Kidpower Founder and Executive Irene van der Zande is a master at teaching safety through stories and practices and at inspiring others to do the same. Her child protection and personal safety expertise has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Today Moms, the LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Publications include: cartoon-illustrated Kidpower Safety Comics and Kidpower Teaching Books curriculum; Bullying: What Adults Need to Know and Do to Keep Kids Safe; the Relationship Safety Skills Handbook for Teens and Adults; Earliest Teachable Moment: Personal Safety for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults: Personal Safety, Self-Protection, Confidence, and Advocacy for Young People, and the Amazon Best Seller Doing Right by Our Kids: Protecting Child Safety at All Levels.