It’s Time to Make a Change
Founded in 2017 by child abuse survivor Shawn Alex Nemeth, the aim of the Chester Street Foundation (CSF) is to illuminate the impact of childhood trauma so that kids can receive the treatment they deserve while they are still young enough to recover without continuing the cycle of trauma into adulthood. Trauma can re-wire the brain, and when these memories surface or are activated by a trauma survivor’s current circumstances, they often re-live the panic and terror over and over, re-opening wounds that can last a lifetime without intervention.
Because educating adults who surround them is such a critical part of helping traumatized children on the path to recovery, CSF developed TraumaTALKS, a series of high-quality trauma-informed trainings and professional development presentations that feature Nemeth in partnership with licensed mental health professionals. These trainings provide continuing education for health professionals – nurses, teachers, social workers, psychologists, and other caregivers who play a crucial role in supporting traumatized children. CSF is one of the few organizations in Texas that leverages lived experience along with evidenced-based research.
Our Mission
Through education and collaboration, our mission is to shine a light on the invisible wounds of childhood trauma to promote prevention, recovery, and resilience in children, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Our Vision
Every traumatized child has an opportunity to recover without continuing the cycle of trauma into adulthood.
“The age-old adage that says: ‘Time heals all wounds’… does not apply to trauma.”