The Be Brave Bridge

The Be Brave Bridge is a comprehensive online program that connects specialized counsellors and therapists with children, teens and parents impacted by child sexual abuse who might not otherwise receive timely mental health support.

Every year Little Warriors’ Be Brave Ranch welcomes nearly 100 sexually abused children and teens from across Canada to receive intensive, specialized treatment for child sexual abuse. But with the number of kids waiting to receive support services rising the need for additional support became very apparent.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Be Brave Ranch closed in March. With restrictions now beginning to lift, as of June 15th we have welcomed back children from Alberta on site at the Ranch. Because of restrictions on travel from other provinces we’ve accelerated the online program initiative we’ve long planned to meet the urgent need for connection and treatment – we’re building the Be Brave Bridge.

COVID-19 and beyond

Following COVID-19, these online programs for children, teens and families will become part of our ongoing effort to help children and youth across Canada stabilize before they arrive at the Be Brave Ranch. We are also optimistic that, for some children and teens, the online program will provide them with enough strategies, skills and tools that they will not require the intensive treatment provided at the Be Brave Ranch.

The program will offer similar evidence-based, specialized trauma treatment that’s provided at the Be Brave Ranch. We’ve taken the insights used at the Ranch and embedded them into the Be Brave Bridge program. All of the information provided has been carefully researched, and offers the most effective interventions and strategies.

How it works

Designed with significant input from many leading academic and clinical experts who specialize in child sexual abuse (see Our Team), the Be Brave Ranch program helps children overcome the devastating effects of child sexual abuse, and change the trajectory of their lives.

The Be Brave Bridge online program features three unique components:

  • Online Parent/Caregiver Interactive Program
    Through reading, videos, reflection and interactive components and ongoing video and phone check ins with a coach parents and caregivers will learn how to help support children and teens with a trauma history.
  • Online Adolescent Interactive Program
    Teaches and supports traumatized teens ages 13-16 through reading, exercises to complete, interactive reflection, video education and ongoing video and phone coaching and counselling.
  • Online Children’s Interactive Program
    Teaches and supports traumatized children ages 8-12 through reading, exercises to complete, interactive reflection, video education and ongoing video and phone coaching and counselling.

We are excited to let you know that thanks to several generous donors we have recently launched the Be Brave Bridge Parent/Caregiver Program. This program is now supporting families to better understand and address their children and teens through developing an effective trauma-informed parenting approach.  Initial feedback from parents/caregivers has been very positive. Here’s what families/caregivers are saying:

“As a parent, I wish I had this information sooner…this should be available to everyone!”.

“I feel soooo much better able to cope and understand my child’s behavior…now we seem to be speaking the same language”.

“My child has benefitted from the in-person Be Brave intensive treatment program…this allows me to support them better, and I feel better as a parent. Thank you!”

Click here to learn more about the comprehensive treatment program at the Be Brave Ranch that the online programs are modelled after.

Help build the bridge

As an organization fully funded through community support, Little Warriors relies on the generosity of donors, partners and organizations to continue to serve children, teens and families across Canada who have been impacted by child sexual abuse. Critical funding for the Be Brave Bridge includes generous support from the Edmonton Community Foundation, the Canada Post Community Foundation, and generous individuals and donors from across Canada.

Right now, a generous Little Warriors supporter has offered to match donations up to $250,000.00.  Our goal is to raise $1 million to support the development and launch of this comprehensive, world class online program.

Your support is critical to the Be Brave Bridge platform as we build, launch and continue to offer the service to children and families in need – at no cost to them. Your gift will directly impact kids who rely on the services of the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch for critical, life-changing support.

Please consider a donation to help build the Be Brave Bridge.

Credit Card: Call 780-922-9010

Mail: Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch, PO Box 92507, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3X4

E-transfer: Send to etransfer@littlewarriors.ca

Online: Click here to donate online via Canada Helps, select the Be Brave Bridge Online Program.

More information

For more information or to set up a meeting to learn more about our Be Brave Bridge fundraising campaign please email Jeremiah Woods at jeremiah@littlewarriors.ca.

If you know of a child, teen or family impacted by child sexual abuse who could benefit from participating in the comprehensive online program please contact our Be Brave Ranch team at info@littlewarriors.ca.