Every child has a story, sometimes marked by great hardship. At CSPC Main dans la main, we believe that with support, kindness and a mobilized community, it's possible to change the narrative. Discover the journey of Lyvia, a 7-year-old girl, whose path testifies to the importance of accompanying children step by step to enable them to dream big.
The challenges of a fragile childhood
Lyvia, a 7-year-old girl, already carries a lot of baggage. Ever since she started school, she was often perceived as an angry, oppositional child who was difficult to deal with. Behind these behaviors, however, lies a history marked by domestic violence, the absence of her mother, consumer problems and a break with her father when she had to be placed, with her little brother, in foster care over a period of 2 years.
Today, Lyvia has been reunited with her daddy, who makes enormous efforts to rebuild the parent-child bond and establish a stable family organization. But for Lyvia, anger and mistrust remain. She fiercely protects her little brother, rebels against authority, runs away or explodes when she feels misunderstood.
CSPC Main dans la main intervention
This is where CSPC Main dans la main comes in, referred in this case by the Director of Youth Protection (DYP). Thanks to trajectory monitoring, the team offers a safety net to support the father in his parental role and help Lyvia to experience successes, thereby boosting her self-confidence. A specialized outpatient rehabilitation educator makes regular home visits to work on routines and family organization.
Unfortunately, an escalation of difficult behaviors led to a breakdown in operations, with the school no longer able to ensure the safety of little Lyvia, as well as that of students and staff. During a period of non-schooling, the school, CSPC Main dans la main and DYP partners worked together to find solutions and appease the young girl. There are several ways of doing this; a retreat where Lyvia can calm down during crises, thus avoiding repeated expulsions and enabling Daddy to work. Participation in dance class is also made possible thanks to a partnership with a local company which makes this positive experience available free of charge.
Dreaming big, despite the challenges
After two years of follow-up, the first year of which was marked by instability, progress is visible. Lyvia has been able to gradually reintegrate into school, she benefits from a concerted service plan with the DYP and other valuable partners, and she begins to experience successes that boost her self-esteem.
Lyvia moves forward step by step, surrounded by a team that believes in her potential. It's a journey that testifies to the importance of a community mobilized around the child. With consistency, kindness and the right support, even the most fragile paths can find a new balance.
Together,let's give Lyvia the necessary resources, and to all children in highly vulnerable situations, to dream big.
For reasons of confidentiality, the child's name has been changed and some aspects of the testimony have been modified to preserve anonymity.
Watch the following video to discover another testimonial from a mother whose children were accompanied by the CSPC Main dans la main.
