Children experience trauma differently, and many carry it silently.
After an attack, their world changes in ways that are hard to process. The people they usually rely on are often coping with their own grief and pain, and sometimes the people they depended on most are no longer there. Many children are left feeling confused, overwhelmed, and unsure how to process what has happened.
Some struggle in school. Others become withdrawn, lose confidence, or begin showing signs of distress much later. In many cases, what they are going through is not immediately recognized as trauma. Many children do not yet have the words to explain what they are feeling.
OneFamily‘s Youth Division was created to make sure children and teenagers never have to face the aftermath of terror alone, whether they were injured, lost a loved one, or are struggling emotionally after what they have lived through.
Support is personal and ongoing. Coordinators, counselors, and volunteers stay closely connected to each child, offering guidance, noticing when a child is beginning to struggle or withdraw, and making sure they receive the care and support they need.
A central part of this support takes place through therapeutic camps and retreats held throughout the year. These programs bring children together in an environment that feels safe, active, and supportive, combining everyday activities with opportunities to connect, open up, and begin making sense of what they have been through.
For many children, it is the first time they meet others who truly understand what they are going through, and the first time they realize they are not alone.
These programs also give children the chance to laugh, build friendships, regain confidence, and simply enjoy being children again.
Alongside camps, children are supported in different ways depending on their needs. This may include group programs, individual support, creative activities, art therapy, play therapy, and other forms of emotional support that help children express feelings they may not yet have the words for.
The Big Brother and Big Sister program provides another important layer of support. Children are paired with mentors who become a steady presence in their lives, someone they can rely on, spend time with, and know will continue showing up for them.
These relationships often become deeply meaningful, giving children a sense of stability, attention, and connection during a time when they need it most.
Children are also supported in their education. After experiencing trauma, many struggle to concentrate, keep up in school, or return to the routines and stability that once felt normal.
Tutoring and academic support help children continue learning at their own pace, while receiving the understanding, encouragement, and flexibility they need along the way.
At OneFamily, support does not end after the early stages. We stay connected as children grow, supporting them through different stages of life and helping them slowly rebuild a sense of stability, trust, and confidence in themselves again.
For many children, OneFamily becomes a constant presence throughout the years.
Over the years, many children have grown up within the OneFamily family. Some go on to serve in the army, attend university, build careers and families of their own, and even return to support younger children facing experiences similar to their own.
Watching children grow into strong, caring adults, while still knowing they have a community they can always return to, is one of the most meaningful parts of OneFamily’s work.
