Arbonne Charitable Foundation Supports Mercer County Children and Families

Aug. 2, 2013-LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – On the evening of July 31, 2013, mothers and daughters participating in Lawrenceville nonprofit PEI Kids’ Mothers and Daughters Support Group were treated to free makeovers,facials, foot soaks, cleansers, lotions and perfume courtesy of the Arbonne Charitable Foundation. The Foundation also presented PEI Kids with $5,000 to support its Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse program, which provides counseling services to child victims and their supportive family members.

In 2012 alone, the program’s specially trained counselors helped 260 child victims of sexual abuse and 353 family members deal with the trauma and after effects of abuse. The monthly Mothers and Daughters Support Group specifically focuses on increasing understanding of the impact of child sexual abuse on girls’ behaviors; enhancing intergenerational communication, empathy and bonding; increasing assertiveness skills; and helping parents communicate about issues of sex and sexuality.

“Our crisis support groups involve daughters, moms, grandmoms and other female caregivers spending quality and focused time together — exchanging views and opinions; and sharing life stories, movies, and new experiences at a very critical and sensitive time,” explains Penny Ettinger, Executive Director of PEI Kids. “When you are sexually abused as a child, it is very important that you obtain immediate professional help. Study after study has also shown that the support of immediate family members is crucial to the self-esteem and emotional and cognitive healing of child victims. We are incredibly grateful to Arbonne for its support.”

Jenny Childs, Independent Consultant and Executive Vice President with Arbonne, who organized the July 31 makeover/spa session and partnered with PEI Kids as its “Arbonne Angel,” states, “PEI Kids is a perfect fit for the Arbonne Charitable Foundation, which supports programs and opportunities that promote the development of confidence and self-esteem in children, specifically teenagers. The Crisis Intervention program does so much to empower children at a traumatic time in their innocent lives, helping them regain their sense of self and hope for the future. We are proud to support it!