Combatting abuse, violence, sexual harm & human trafficking

Butterfly Dreams Alliance, NFP

Combatting abuse, violence, sexual harm & human trafficking

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Community Outreach & Advocacy to end abuse, sexual harm, and human trafficking

Providing awareness, prevention, assistance, peer support and resources for those affected by abuse, violence, sexual harm or human trafficking. Through community outreach we encourage others to help intervene early in hope of reducing victim vulnerability. We focus on educating our society & responders about warning signs, discussion points, trauma behaviors, safety skills & empowerment for survivors. As an advocacy resource; we can help connect to expert resources, provide free consultations and peer support. We are not a licensed professional therapeutic service, nor are we a hotline provider; please contact 911 or your emergency response if you need immediate assistance for yourself or someone else, especially a child or teen.

Awareness/prevention - public or professional programs

We have provided discussions and presentations throughout Southern Illinois - our founder was a longterm victim of violence, sexual harm & family related sex trafficking. She has been rebuilding and researching, connecting with our phenomenal experts on our Board of Directors.

Law Enforcement - VPCSWI was at another training when a previously trained officer stated; 'I still remember hearing 'Trish' talk about her story. It stays with me all the time.'

Healthcare - HSHS St Joseph's Breese & Highland Nursing Staff - approx. 30 attendees - resulted in two larger programs for awareness and prevention; early intervention to prevent lasting challenges. Recognizing Human Trafficking & Abuse for Healthcare w/ Laurie Ryznyk, PA/SIU School of Medicine Associate Professor, national educator/speaker for Integrating Healthcare & Human Trafficking.

Educators - O'Fallon Township High School - 'Educating Educators - Abuse & Human Trafficking' Created in partnership with newest Board Member, Tracy Carney, MA Ed., we presented a new program to this school's teachers & staff. Approx. 75 attendees and reviews continue. 'This program opened my eyes and changed my perception of 'victims', so that I can better recognize possible problems in my student's lives.'

Assistance/peer support/resources

We are a small organization who provides free services to assist victims to be safe, find available resources in their community, connect with other advocates & experts for safety, wellness, and equality for everyone. We are not a hotline or professional therapeutic service provider. You can message us via Facebook: @ButterflyDreamsAlliance or email: trish@butterflydreamsalliance.org if you know someone struggling with past or present abusive or harmful situations. If you need some guidance to other area and national resources, please visit our 'Resources & More' tab!! We can assist with Safety Planning to get out and connect you to the resources available to you and your family.

We are founded by a survivor of familial child sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, enslavement, neglect, and extreme violence. She didn't recognize the life pattern of tolerances and trauma she was passing into her children's lives until she was thirty-seven years old. Only then did she decide to break away from the violent environments to keep her family safe. Unfortunately no one was discussing the lasting affects of trauma and harm back in the late 1990's, so she had to work and provide for her family; keep a roof over their heads & food in their mouths, keep their home calm and nurturing in hopes of helping them live better lives. Somehow, someway, for some reason; she was able to do this much better than anyone, especially herself, thought possible.

It wasn't easy back then, it's still not easy today. However, today you will usually find at least one resource in your area! You will find counselors and therapists, educators, law enforcement, social workers, healthcare professionals and neighbors who are willing to talk about it and help you find healing measures, while talking to our youth about safe behaviors and relationships to protect themselves and change their community.

Founder/President, 'Trish' McKnight, along with our specialized Board of Directors, have created and presented programs throughout South-Central Illinois for five years. She has presented to students, offenders, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, educators to help break the cycle of these harms, while we encourage early intervention and family based rebuilding. She has spoken at many community venues, both large and small, as well as local human trafficking collaborative networks. She has dedicated research in national resources to better understand the effects of trauma, learned survival patterns, parenting challenges, mental health & substance use as a result of fear, harm, even neglect. She is happy to assist anyone via email or messenger. If you need a moment of positive empowerment to brighten a difficult day, or an idea for a safe step or a safe resource; please visit our Facebook page for more information. facebook.com/butterflydreamsalliance

'Trish' is; Ambassador for National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. She is skilled in Family Violence & Sexual Harm situations and rebuilding. As a peer support or speaker, she has dedicated the past ten years in helping victims/survivors find their voice and their safe place. She fought tirelessly to update Illinois Statute of Limitations, providing testimony to policy leaders to set the standards of care and service needs. She has assisted and empowered men, women, and teens to help others and become stronger for themselves.

About Us

Our Mission

A community outreach support & prevention organization guiding pathways to family wellness and life empowerment. Butterfly Dreams Alliance, NFP, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes and operating within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Dedicated to ending the genrational cycle of abuse, violence, addictions and human trafficking in our communities by providing advocate resources, awareness programs and hands-on assistance to victims, their families and the general public.

Our mission- To provide a resource of help & healing in the prevention of bullying, violence, abuse, sexual harm and/or human trafficking

A resource educating youth, family, community resources to provide early intervention to empower resilience and family unity with healthy relationships. Helping those affected with support group interaction and family rebuilding focus.

A resource of empowerment for community involvement.

A resource of intervention to bring your family unit stronger together.

A resource of help & support when you feel like you have no one.

Learning together about the life affecting traumas passed through our communities..

Our Focus

'Safe Teens' -

A discussion focused for high school students about safety tips online and in their community. Also safe, responsible, respectful behaviors to help themselves and their friends be aware of dangerous situations; consent, dating, social safety. Connecting with youth to discuss and resolve issues revolving around inequality, avoiding negative influences, peer support, bullying, substance abuse, family or social relationships

STAR GROUP - Survivors of Trauma & Abuse Recovery, peer support group. Every Wednesday, 6pm, First United Methodist Church of Carlyle. In supportive partnership with @SAFE, this is a safe confidential group for Ladies 18+ years. We hope to bring a men's trauma recovery group very soon!! In these meeting we discuss your situation today and how we can help each other find our own path to recovery & rebuilding.

Parent & Community

Providing awareness & prevention discussions to empower healthcare, educators, first responders, neighbors and family to aid in understanding the dynamics of various types of harm, distress, enslavement, and trauma behavior we see in rural communities.

It always takes a team!!!

A charitable trust organization providing assistance and prevention of abuse, sexual harm, violence and human trafficking. We start with one heart, one voice, one desire to create something stronger and safer for another. Hand by hand, heart by heart, voice by voice we see peace and wellness for those in our closest circle. As we each become more aware our communities become a more equal society for everyone.

Butterfly Dreams Alliance, NFP

Combatting abuse, violence, sexual harm & human trafficking

Butterfly Dreams Alliance, NFP

Combatting abuse, violence, sexual harm & human trafficking

Site Content

Community Outreach & Advocacy to end abuse, sexual harm, and human trafficking

Awareness/prevention - public or professional programs

Assistance/peer support/resources

About Us

Our Mission

Our Focus

It always takes a team!!!

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