Sticks & Stones

SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM

Sticks & Stones® was created in 1997, based on the need for interventions serving child victims of domestic violence in Monterey County. The targeted population is vulnerable to repeat the patterns of violence they are learning in their homes and communities. Sticks & Stones® school-based program is a counseling program for children who have learned to express their feelings in unhealthy ways. The program consists of ten weekly meetings with groups of 2-4 children. They learn healthy ways to express their feelings and are taught how to stay safe in a violent home. This furthers Harmony at Home’s mission by breaking dysfunctional family patterns, thus promoting healthier family systems both now and in the future.

NEW ! In September of 2008, Executive Director Julianne Leavy met with Salinas City School's Superintendent Donna Alonzo-Vaughn. Ms. Alonzo-Vaughn believes the Sticks & Stones® program can make a significant difference to the children in her district that are affected by violence and trauma. Ms. Alonzo-Vaughn budgeted funds to provide this program in the 12 elementary schools she oversees and, within two weeks of this decision, Harmony At Home staffed all twelve schools with Counselors.  

In addition to the 11 schools in the Alisal District, we are now providing services to:  Boronda Meadows, El Gabilan, Kammann, Laurel Wood, Loma Vista, Los Padres, Mission Park, Monterey Park, Natividad, Roosevelt, Sherwood, and University Park, where hundreds of children can be taught how to be safe.  By the end of the 2008/2009 school year, we will have served between 300 and 400 children in the Salinas City School District for a total of close to a thousand in these two Salinas school districts.    

Julianne is currently working with Salinas Community School to see how her Sticks & Stones® program can make a difference in the lives of those attending students and their families.  In a perfect world, there would be harmony in every home. However, this is not a perfect world.  If you need help, or know of a school that could benefit from our programs, please email us at: julianne@harmony-at-home.org.  You can also call us at 831-625-5160 or 831-625-5164.

EXTENDED FAMILY PROGRAM  According to the 2000 census, there are 7,500 families in Monterey County where grandparents are the primary caregiver. There is a great need for services to help grandparents, and  other relatives, taking care of children (“Relative Caregivers”). Sticks & Stones® Extended Family is a program that serves relative caregivers, and their children, in Monterey County. The children and families in this program struggle with issues surrounding domestic violence, drug/alcohol abuse, parent abandonment, and more.   Harmony at Home supports healthy family functioning no matter what a family looks like. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings caring for their relative children make up a family, and we support these families in their quest to thrive. Since the pilot program in September 2002, Sticks & Stones® Extended Family has served approximately 300 Relative Caregivers and the children within their extended families.