Why Listen To Kids is Important to Me

(from the November 2009 Newsletter)

By Larry Fox

Lead Partner, Listen To Kids

Below is a testimonial from

Larry Fox, Lead Partner for SVPP's new investee, Listen To Kids.

When I first started working with Jennifer Talbot and Listen To Kids, I asked her why she chose to dedicate herself to this effort. Her answer was simple: Kids can’t take care of themselves. They have a right to be safe from child abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. This is what motivates Jennifer and her team from their hearts. It is the simple idea that has drawn me into their effort.

I was raised in a safe household and grew up confident that the world is safe. My wife and I provided the same for our children. One in four children in Oregon don’t have that luxury. They experience domestic violence and often live in fear and trauma as a result. Nearly as many will experience sexual abuse by the time they are 18 years old. This should not be. It need not be. Listen To Kids has opened my eyes to this. Their passion to secure for children a safe environment has motivated me to want to help them extend their reach and grow the impact of this humane, unique and very successful organization.

Listen To Kids has two approaches to issues of domestic violence and abuse: a school-based program and support for parents and children leaving a domestic violence situation. Their school-based program takes them to participating schools where they help children to understand that they have a right to be “safe, strong and free.” After each classroom workshop, children have the opportunity to talk one-to-one with a caring, respectful adult. Listen To Kids also works to reduce the risk of child abuse in single-parent households who are rebuilding their lives after leaving an abusive relationship. It is critical that during this time parents are supported in responding effectively to the needs of their children.

Jennifer and her team have a deep desire to do more. They have a unique approach with unique materials, but there are a number of hurdles to growing their impact. Social Venture Partners can help. LTK has a strong vision, a heartfelt motivation, and a strategic perspective on what it will take to help more kids.

I am very excited to get moving on this effort and I hope a number of partners will see in this opportunity a chance to give back in a big way by bringing their expertise, care, and concern to a problem that should not exist. Kids deserve to be “safe, strong and free.” It will be great if in two years we can look back and say we helped make that happen for many more children.