Hello, Canopy Center Community! 

Back-to-school season is here (and for some, it’s already begun)! Our CASA team has been working hard to ensure every foster child we serve is ready to return to the classroom with the supplies they need. A huge thank-you to our local Wal-Marts in Portage, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton for helping us make that possible!

The school year also brings some changes for our Supervised Visitation Program and Therapy Clinic. While hours may shift, our commitment to care never wavers. We continue to offer group therapy for:

• Adult survivors of child sexual abuse
• Caregivers of children who have experienced sexual abuse
• Teens who have experienced sexual abuse
• Children who have experienced sexual abuse

If you or someone you know may benefit, you can learn more here.

Also, we’ve got flyers ready to hang! If you know of a great spot in your community, reach out to development@canopycenter.org and we’ll make it happen!

Keep scrolling for a more in-depth look at what we’ve been up to - and what’s ahead: 

🚘What it means to provide accessible trauma therapy | Children who have been abused, and their families, face enough challenges - imagine if therapy didn’t require insurance, transportation or childcare?  
🧸Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Sophie Boes | Learn how Sophie brings joy to our front desk and what it means to serve as a Family Support Volunteer 
💐Garden Party Bingo Raised $11,000 to Support Foster Children | Discover how these dollars fuel advocacy for foster children, and meet the businesses who believe in the value of ALL kids
😆Events & Opportunities to Give Back | From comedy to community giving, discover fun and meaningful ways to support Canopy Center this September
📲This Month’s Best Social Posts | All new followers—and anyone who shares a post between now and next month’s newsletter—will be entered to win donuts and a milkshake from Duck Donuts! 

What it means to provide accessible trauma therapy 

When asked why they wanted to work for Canopy Center’s Oasis Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, Therapist Andrew Feist didn’t hesitate. "Well, I really value that we can provide therapy that is accessible. We have funding to see clients regardless of insurance, to help with transportation costs, offer translation services and provide childcare... And we are able to work with clients weekly for a longer period of time, sometimes 18-24 months, which is often necessary with our clients." 

At Canopy Center, our Oasis Sexual Abuse Treatment Program is designed to meet survivors where they are - removing barriers that can make accessing mental health care feel impossible. Unlike many private clinics, Oasis does not require insurance in order to provide care. This means we can see clients regardless of insurance status, without waiting for pre-approvals and we never penalize for missed appointments - which can be critical for trauma survivors.

Insurance aside, many families face challenges that can make attending therapy sessions consistently a struggle.

Volunteer Spotlight:

Celebrating Family Support Volunteer Sophie Boes

There’s no better way to share the impact our Family Support Volunteers make, than by sharing why Oasis Therapist Hannah Brown nominated Sophie Boes for one of three volunteer awards given at our annual Stand Up for Kids celebration. Hannah’s speech not only highlighted Sophie’s impact, but the reality of what it means to work in trauma-informed care. 

Oasis is Canopy Center’s sexual abuse treatment program, and is the only no-cost, certified mental clinic that specializes in child sexual abuse in southern Wisconsin. Hannah shared: “When I tell people about my job and the work I do, I am almost always met with expressions of shock, sadness and heartbreak. It’s understandable and expected because the work is exactly that - it is shocking, sad and heartbreaking.” 

Trauma is heavy and what our clients carry is unimaginable. But what people don’t see are the moments of joy and healing that happen here every day. The laughter of children rolling scooter boards down the hallway, spontaneous dance breaks in the lobby, a child proudly showing a volunteer their Beanie Baby collection or newest drawing. 

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes a community. And at Canopy Center, part of that community is our Family Support Volunteers. The therapeutic process begins the moment a child steps into our building. That first point of contact - the smile and welcome from a volunteer - is a crucial part of creating a safe space.

This is why we are so grateful for volunteers like Sophie.

Garden Party Bingo Raised $11,000 to Support Foster Children 

Over 110 of you joined us at Rock N Wool Winery for Garden Party Bingo, raising an incredible $11,294 to support advocacy for foster children who have experienced abuse and neglect. 🎉 

What does that mean? Your generosity helps us:

• Train volunteers to support children whose abuse or neglect stems from parental substance use; or who have been trafficked, or are at risk.
• Provide essentials not available through other system partners - like driver’s education and work boots, so youth can gain some independence and prepare for the transition to adulthood.
• Ensure children receive the care and support they need to thrive - at school, at home and as they grow older.

Thank YOU! 💚 And a special thanks to Rock N Wool Winery, Crestwood Cheesecake, Petal It Forward, Alhambra Flower Farm, and all of our amazing sponsors - including our presenting sponsor, Arbor Green. 

Events & Opportunities to Give Back

🎰 Head to Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison in September | Skip the checkout line - toss your ticket in the donation bin and proceeds will benefit Canopy Center!

😂 Game Never the Samer at the Bur Oak |  Join us on September 18 for an improvised

comedy game show benefiting local nonprofits, including Canopy Center. Thank you to Circle Member (monthly donor) Bryce Baker for making the connection, and to contestant Bryan Leconte for representing us!

🎭 Forward Theater’s Primary Trust | See it at the Overture. Exploring trauma, mental health, and human connection, Canopy Center is proud to be an honorary sponsor of this performance.

📦 Amazon Wishlist | Purchase an item from our wishlist to directly support our programs.

🙌 Get Involved | Visit our website to explore volunteer opportunities or make a donation—your support allows us to continue this critical work.

✨This Month's Best Social Posts📲

Here's what got the most attention, since the last time we were in your inbox.

Are you following us? Your engagement increases awareness of Canopy Center in the community and helps us serve more people. 

Canopy Center is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to Canopy Center are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Canopy Center tax identification number is: 51-0211908.