Navigating Life with Kindness: A Reflection for Child Abuse Awareness Month
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month—a time to acknowledge the profound impact of childhood trauma and recognize the transformative power of kindness and compassion in the healing process. Each year, countless children experience abuse in various forms—physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect. While prevention and intervention are crucial, it is just as vital to foster a culture of understanding, empathy, and support that allows survivors to heal and build a hopeful future.
Childhood abuse and neglect leave lasting emotional and psychological scars. Many survivors struggle with trust, self-worth, and forming healthy relationships. Yet, in the face of such adversity, acts of kindness—both big and small—can create safe spaces for healing, breaking cycles of pain and offering hope where it once seemed lost.
MelissaRoshan Potter, a NYAP employee and advocate who experienced foster care, shares her powerful journey:
"I experienced heavy doses of abuse even before I was one and was transferred to live with my grandmother—the same woman who had abused my mother. I often say that we repeat what is not repaired, and my family experiences reflected this. My grandmother had not healed her own traumas and inflicted those on my mother, which resulted in foster care. I experienced the same. I was born into experiences that weren’t beautiful, and thus I lived much of my life struggling to see my true worth, value, and inner beauty."
Despite the hardships, MelissaRoshan chose a path of healing and kindness:
"I embarked on deep healing—which I continue to reference as my truth—and my entire outlook changed. We give thanks for what healing can do! There is hope in healing! I realized that what I inherited is what my mother inherited and her mother before her. It ran in my family until I decided it would run out with me. I chose not to become like those who harmed me. Trust me; I have been HEAVILY tested in this area - the injustices I have faced alone—my goodness. And yet, I have decided to let purpose, compassion, and kindness be my default.
I chose to heal myself so that I could be part of the change I wished to see and go back and serve the very system that once failed me. I believe we should become the adults we once needed, so I have dedicated my life to service. This is kindness to myself and to others, realizing that the wounded will wound, and the healed will heal."
MelissaRoshan’s words serve as a profound reminder:
"It is important that we view one another through a lens of kindness and compassion. It is the only way we can harmoniously do our work and create the very real change that is needed. Show one another grace, and show this to yourselves first. We never know what others are going through. Kindness goes a long way.”
For example, you may have a coworker who tends to get on your nerves—you never know what they’ve been through or what they are going through. Yes, policies may say we shouldn’t bring personal struggles to work, but let’s be human—this is not always easy or attainable. Always assume that those around you are doing their best from their level of awareness. Seek to support one another first—we are all on the same team."
MelissaRoshan finds purpose in this philosophy of kindness, both personally and professionally:
"This work? It starts with me. I am inspired to continue working on myself so that I can engage in work that shifts paradigms and creates real change. A huge part of that work is serving NYAP as a foster parent recruiter—a role that I cherish. I don’t have to do this work; I GET TO do this work."
This Child Abuse Prevention Month, let us commit to living with kindness—not just in response to trauma but as a fundamental principle of our interactions with the world. We may never fully know the battles others are fighting, but we always have the power to choose understanding and grace.