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The Power of Words: A Model for Community Engagement in Child Advocacy

Writer's picture: Cindy FellowsCindy Fellows

Updated: 2 days ago


elderly woman writing a note on a pink heart doily

The Power of Words: A Model for Community Engagement in Child Advocacy

Words have the power to inspire, uplift, and heal. This past February, the American Shakespeare Center (ASC) embraced that power in a meaningful way by partnering with Valley Children’s Advocacy Center (Valley CAC) to bring messages of encouragement to survivors of child sexual abuse. Through this special collaboration, audiences attending performances of Pride & Prejudice and Julius Caesar at the Blackfriars Playhouse had the opportunity to write notes of support, strength, and love for the children and families served by Valley CAC.


Person in medieval costume holds note saying, "Someone thinks you are awesome!" Background has posters and baskets, setting a cheerful mood.

A Connection Rooted in Healing and Community

ASC has long championed the transformative power of language, using Shakespeare’s words to move and connect audiences. This initiative extended that mission beyond the stage to foster hope and healing in the local community. By writing heartfelt messages, theatergoers directly impacted the lives of young survivors, showing them that they were not alone.


Standing with Valley CAC in Challenging Times

For 20 years, Valley CAC has been a lifeline for children and families affected by abuse, offering support, advocacy, and resources across a vast 3,000-square-mile region. However, recent funding cuts from the state of Virginia placed immense strain on the organization. Recognizing the critical role Valley CAC plays, ASC encouraged its audiences to show their love and support in this small yet powerful way.


“Many times, the children and families that come through our doors are experiencing unthinkable tragedies that often leave them feeling isolated and hopeless in their time of crisis,” shared Charlé Johnson, Associate Director for Valley CAC. “These notes of encouragement were a powerful way our community showed our survivors that they are supported and valued. The way a child’s eye sparkles just from reading a note from a stranger truly shows the healing power of words and connection.”



How Other Advocacy Centers Can Build Awareness

This initiative highlighted the therapeutic impact of expressive writing and the belief in the transformative power of words. Child Advocacy Centers across the country can consider similar partnerships with local theaters, schools, libraries, or community organizations to engage the public in meaningful ways. By inviting community members to write notes of encouragement, centers can foster awareness while providing direct emotional support to survivors.


Steps to Launch a Similar Initiative:

  1. Partner with a Local Organization – Identify a theater, bookstore, or cultural center willing to support the initiative by providing space for letter-writing. 

  2. Create a Simple and Impactful Message—Encourage participants to write messages of hope and reassurance for survivors. Provide sentence starters or an example for guidance to help writers structure their messages.

  3. Provide Easy Access – Set up tables at events, create drop-off locations, or allow digital submissions for handwritten transcription. Encourage writers to email a message or send a private DM through social media to add to a card by a staff member. 

  4. Engage Your Community —Use social media, newsletters, and local press to spread the word and encourage participation. Write and submit a press release before and after the letter-writing campaign, including captioned images. Invite local officials to participate. Post a short-form video and images of the letter-writing space on social media platforms to promote the event.

  5. Deliver and Celebrate the Impact—Respectfully and upliftingly share the messages of hope with survivors while highlighting the power of community support.


Pro Tips:

  • Ask that notes and cards remain unsealed for a final check by staff before delivering to child abuse survivors.

  • Capture images and short-form videos to promote your event next year.





A Lasting Impact

The success of this collaboration between ASC and Valley CAC demonstrates how a simple yet powerful initiative can create meaningful community engagement. Encouraging words written by strangers had a profound effect on children and families navigating difficult journeys.


Person holding yellow notes with handwritten text about love and peace. They wear a plaid shirt. Sofa and rug visible in blurred background.

By replicating this model, Child Advocacy Centers nationwide can build awareness, rally community support, and most importantly, remind survivors that they are not alone.



Community Partner | American Shakespeare Center

Photographer + Content Creator | October Grace Media



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