DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A Child’s Light completed a four-week pilot program in Downingtown this month that combined movement with therapeutic support for Chester County children affected by trauma, an early step toward expanding the free program to more families across the region.
The nonprofit’s Strong Bodies, Calm Minds program ran from July 22 through Aug. 12, using activities including non-contact boxing, jump rope and grounding exercises alongside therapeutic reflection to help children recognize emotions and develop self-regulation skills.
Ten children originally enrolled in the program, with seven actively participating in the sessions. A Child’s Light fully funded the pilot so families could participate at no cost.
The approach is designed to give children another way to engage with therapy when talking directly about difficult emotions may be challenging or developmentally inappropriate.
“The movement is really just a way to break through some of the barriers that might be there due to nervousness, and it is a way to help them feel safe,” lead therapist David Barnes stated.
Barnes used physical activity to help participants recognize differences between periods of agitation or high energy and a more regulated state. He described play and activity as a natural way for children to begin exploring what they are feeling.
A Child’s Light reported consistent attendance and active participation during the pilot, with children beginning to establish connections with one another during the first session. The four-week program concluded with certificates, gift cards and photographs recognizing their participation and progress.
Parents also expressed interest in seeing the program continue, according to Tina Ayala, community outreach and operations coordinator for A Child’s Light.
“Many parents asked if the program would be returning and how they could continue this form of therapy for their children because, in just four short weeks, they could see a difference in their progress,” Ayala stated.
That response is helping shape the program’s next stage. A Child’s Light plans to expand Strong Bodies, Calm Minds from four to eight weeks in future sessions and eventually offer the model in other parts of Chester County and beyond.
Founder and Executive Director Leslie Holt developed the initiative around the use of somatic therapy, which focuses on the connection between physical experiences and emotional responses.
“Somatic therapy, which connects the body and the mind, is an incredibly powerful tool for children who have experienced trauma and struggle to express themselves verbally,” Holt stated.
Kennett Township Police Officer Elysia Simmons, who serves on the nonprofit’s board and as program lead for Strong Bodies, Calm Minds, is also working to secure support for the program’s continuation.
“It is a personal goal to secure funding for A Child’s Light to ensure this program endures,” Simmons stated.
Grant support from community partners, including Chester County United Way, helped make the pilot possible. The release did not specify the program’s total cost or the amount of grant funding provided.
A Child’s Light provides expedited mental health support for young people who have experienced severe trauma. The nonprofit intends to use lessons from the pilot to build a repeatable model for movement-based therapeutic support that can reach additional children.
Families interested in participating in the next Strong Bodies, Calm Minds program can join the waitlist by emailing connect@childslight.com.
More information about A Child’s Light and ways to support its programs are available at https://childslight.com.
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