Our Mission

Dawn Childhood Foundation (DCF) was founded on the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up free from the lasting impact of trauma. We exist to make that belief a reality by removing financial barriers and ensuring that children and their families can access high-quality, specialized care.

We kindly ask that clients and their caregivers not make donations to the organization.
This helps us keep everything fair, supportive, and focused on your care. Your presence and participation mean so much—that’s more than enough!

What Makes Dawn Unique

DCF’s services are built on three core commitments:

  • Specialized Trauma Care for Children

    • Our team is uniquely trained to work with children ages 2–18 who have endured trauma such as grief, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, self-harm, neglect, parental abandonment, or time spent in foster and kinship care.

    • Every staff member is trauma-informed, ensuring care that is both compassionate and effective.

  • Healing Families, Not Just Children

    • We believe children cannot out-heal their caregivers. For true healing to occur, the entire family system must be supported.

    • DCF provides wraparound services, helping caregivers and siblings receive the tools and therapy they need alongside the child.

  • Equipping Families for Lasting Change

    • When possible, we work to restore and strengthen the family unit, giving them the skills to break cycles of trauma for generations to come.

    • Our goal is not to keep families dependent on therapy but to equip them to continue growing and healing together.

How do we work with Kids?

Welcome to a closer look at the heart of our work at the Dawn Childhood Foundation. This short video shares how we bring healing, hope, and a safe space for children and families to grow. We invite you to watch and see how your support truly changes lives. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

How Families Access Services

Families seeking support through DCF must complete a formal application that explains both the reason services are needed and the financial hardship preventing access to care. Funding is awarded based on these needs.

  • Services always begin with the child, but through assessments, additional support may be extended to caregivers and siblings.

  • Regardless of whether caregivers receive individual therapy, all guardians are required to complete a 12-week program called Breaking the Cycle: Trauma-Informed Parenting.

Impact of Your Giving

At our annual fall fundraiser, 100% of funds raised go directly to services for children and families here in the Valley. Every gift you give starts with a child in need and expands outward to help the entire family heal. Your support ensures that no child is denied the chance to heal because of financial barriers.

Dawn Childhood Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This means all donations may be tax-deductible as allowed by law. More importantly, your giving directly helps children and families who have experienced unimaginable trauma find the healing and support they desperately need.

Donate Here