Our mission is to help strengthen families and support children, teens, and adults impacted by trauma and adversity.

June is National Reunification Month.  During this month, we take the time to celebrate and recognize the people and efforts being made to help families stay together.

A couple of our Parent to Child (P2C) staff members traveled to Newport Beach in California to attend the Supervised Visitation Network (SVN) Conference at the end of May. They had a chance to hear real stories of strength and resilience, and learn new ways to work with families in their program. Thank you Emmy and Allison!

Read more about the conference below.

Meet Lynn Harthorne, our newest CASA Case Coordinator!  In her free time, Lynn likes to hike, kayak, garden, read, and spend time with her rescue cat and dog.  Welcome to the Canopy Center Team, Lynn!

Meet Abby Leasman, one of our Oasis Therapists. Abby was an Oasis Clinical Intern for the past year and has now taken a permanent position within the program. In her free time, Abby enjoys trying new restaurants in the Madison area.  Welcome (officially) to the Canopy Center Team, Abby!

As reported by Emmy Lita, Parent to Child Program Director

Allison and Emmy attended the SVN (Supervised Visitation Network) conference in Newport Beach in May.  The conference was filled with sessions to enhance the work Parent to Child is already doing. 

Some of these sessions included: The Intersection of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alcohol Use Disorder, Harnessing the Power of Family Time to Strengthen the Parent-Child Relationship and Support Reunification Efforts, Addressing the Impact of Domestic Violence in the Visit Room: Key Considerations for Safety and Healing and Self-Regulation and De-Escalation Tactics in Supervised Visitation. 

They were able to bring back the valuable knowledge gained through attending these sessions and incorporate them into the Parent to Child Programming.

What stood out the most at this year’s conference were the plenary speakers.  Ana Estevez and Hera McLeod shared their heartbreaking stories, both highlighting the dire consequences of inadequate safeguards in the family court system.

Both Ana and Hera transformed their personal tragedies into catalysts for change.  Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the urgent need for reforms within the child welfare and court systems.  The memories of their sons, Piqui and Prince, will forever inspire us to continue working towards ensuring the safety and well-being of children in vulnerable situations.  

You can learn more about Piqui’s law and the work Ana is doing here:

You can learn more about Hera’s story here:

Emmy and Allison also had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by Dr. Donna Beegle about the importance of effective communication across socioeconomic barriers. 

Dr. Beegle emphasizes the need for understanding and empathy when interacting with individuals from different economic backgrounds. She shares her own experiences of poverty and highlights the misconceptions and biases that often hinder meaningful communication.

Through her work, she promotes a more inclusive society where people can bridge the gap and connect with each other on a deeper level, regardless of their economic circumstances.  Listen to Dr. Donna Beegle: Communication Across Barriers below!

Stand Up and Sing for Kids 2023, what a night!

Stand Up and Sing for Kids, our annual fundraiser gala event, was an extraordinary and heartwarming evening that brought together compassionate individuals with the goal to support Canopy Center. The event exceeded all expectations, as the community came together in a tremendous display of generosity, raising a sum of over $52,000.

The night began with performances by the talented Sean Michael Dargan, followed by the gifted voices of the DeForest High School choir group.  The event featured catering from Food Junkies, ensuring that guests enjoyed a delightful array of flavors and culinary delights. Furthermore, the Decadent Dessert Buffet consisted of items that were graciously donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wonder Cookie, and Yola's Cafe, leaving everyone with a sweet taste in their mouths and hearts.

However, the true highlight of the evening was the highly anticipated auction for tickets to see the iconic Taylor Swift in Minneapolis on June 24th! Excitement filled the room as bidding ensued, with attendees eagerly vying for the chance to witness a memorable performance while continuing to contribute to the cause.  The successful bidder generously donated these tickets to one of Canopy Center's volunteers through a lottery process!  We can't wait to see the pictures!

Overall, Stand Up and Sing for Kids was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. Through their support and generosity, the community demonstrated the immense power of collective action, united in their commitment to making a difference in the lives of children, teens, and adults impacted by trauma and adversity.

Be a part of the important work Canopy Center does in the community.

Questions? Check out our website, canopycenter.org or email us at info@canopycenter.org