At Crossroads Family Dentistry, we see hundreds of families every month. Kids, parents, grandparents, you name it. And over the years, you start to notice patterns. You see which kids light up when they talk about school, and which ones... don't. You see families struggling, families thriving, and everything in between.
But here's something that gets us fired up: When kids don't see themselves reflected positively in the world around them, it changes everything.
That's why we are compelled to share an organization that one of our patients shared with usshared us to, an organization that's literally changing lives right here in our backyard.
Here's What's Actually Happening
Meet Loving Our Children, Inc., a local 501(c)(3) that's doing something most organizations only talk about. They're actually solving problems.
Millions of kids, especially children from under-resourced families, grow up never seeing positive representations of themselves in books, media, or community programs. The psychological impact? Devastating. These kids start believing they don't matter. That their dreams are too big. That success "isn't for people like them."
Well, Loving Our Children figured out something brilliant. Instead of just complaining about the lack of representation, they decided to create it themselves.
And here's the kicker, it's working.
Why This Changes Everything
You know what happens when a 7-year-old picks up a book and sees a hero who looks like them for the first time? Magic!
Loving Our Children's A.I.M. Media Initiative produces original books, devotionals, coloring books, and digital resources that reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences. But here's what makes this different from every other "feel-good" program out there: They're strategic about distribution.
These aren't sitting on some warehouse shelf. They're getting into the hands of kids who need them most, Title I schools, libraries, community centers, daycares. The places where change actually happens.
Think about it: One book can shift a child's entire perception of what's possible for their future. That's not just nice, that's leverage.
These Programs That Move the Needle
- 1. Blended Magazine: Teaching Kids Their Voice Matters Loving Our Children created a youth-led publication where kids share their perspectives, creativity, and ideas with the world. When a child sees their work published—their actual thoughts and creativity validated in print, something shifts in their brain.
Suddenly, they're not just a "kid from the wrong side of town." They're a published author. That identity change? It sticks. - 2. "Creatives Are Entrepreneurs Too" Summer Camps These camps blend artistic expression with real business skills. Kids learn storytelling, design, and entrepreneurship. They discover that their passions aren't just hobbies, they're potential income streams.
Kids who understand entrepreneurship early don't just become more successful financially. They become more resilient, more creative problem-solvers, and more confident in general. - 3. Digital Equity Programs: Solving Real Problems When COVID hit and schools went remote, the "digital divide" became a chasm. Kids without laptops and internet access got left behind.
While everyone else was arguing about policy, Loving Our Children got to work. They provided laptops, headphones, and tech support directly to families who needed it.
That's the difference between talking and doing.
The Community Advocacy Piece
Loving Our Children doesn't just focus on feel-good programs. They tackle systemic issues head-on:
- Supporting equity-focused legislation
- Partnering with anti-trafficking organizations like A21
- Hosting community events that bring people together around shared values
- Advocating for justice reforms that protect children
This is what real community impact looks like. Not just band-aids, but addressing root causes.
Why Crossroads Family Dentistry Chose to Support This Mission
Here's the truth: When we first learned about Loving Our Children through one of our patients, it wasn't because we needed good PR or a tax write-off.
It was because we see the results of community support (or lack thereof) every single day in our practice.
Kids from supported families smile differently. They carry themselves differently. They have hope in their eyes instead of resignation.
And here's what every business owner in Colorado Springs needs to understand: When children in our community thrive, our entire economy benefits. Confident kids become productive adults. Productive adults become customers, employees, and community leaders.
This isn't charity, it's an investment in our community. And that's exactly why we chose to support Loving Our Children's mission.
How You Can Make a Difference
Whether you want to contribute by sharing this article, financially, volunteer your time, or create ongoing partnerships, there are meaningful ways for everyone to get involved.
You can help with donations, book reviews, translation, event support, or spreading awareness through your networks. If you own a business or have influence in our community, consider creating ongoing partnerships to host materials, sponsor programs, or introduce Loving Our Children to other leaders.
Your professional skills, personal network, and resources can amplify their reach exponentially. One conversation you have could lead to game-changing partnerships. When multiple people and organizations align behind a cause, that's when real transformation accelerates.
The Compound Effect of Community Investment
Here's what happens when we collectively invest in organizations like Loving Our Children:
- Individual kids start believing in themselves
- Those kids become leaders in their schools and peer groups
- They graduate with confidence and skills
- They're contributing to our local economy as entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders
- They're raising the next generation with the same values and opportunities
That's not just nice; it's smart contributions to our entire community.
The Bottom Line
Loving Our Children, Inc. is creating that support system, systematically and strategically, for the kids who need it most.
Now is the moment to step forward with love and purpose.
Visit www.lovingourchildreninc.org right now. Read their story. See their impact. Then decide how you want to be part of this.
The kids in our community are counting on us. Let's support them and our communities.
At Crossroads Family Dentistry, we believe in supporting initiatives that actually move the needle in our Colorado Springs community. Loving Our Children is one of those initiatives that are doing great work and we are proud to support them.
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