The Joyful Child Foundation

In 2002, during what became nationally known as The Summer of Abduction, five-year-old Samantha Runnion was abducted and murdered while playing outside her home. In the tragic aftermath, her parents learned that children are the most highly victimized population of any demographic in the country—and that no special protections or safety measures exist to insulate any particular group of children over another. Just three months later, Samantha’s parents formed The Joyful Child Foundation, determined to create a lasting legacy that would protect children from the full spectrum of crimes committed against them. The Foundation’s name honors the joy that Samantha so freely shared with everyone, and its signature Be Brave – Be Safe Empowerment Program (BRAVE Program) draws inspiration from Samantha’s personal motto of encouragement to her friends and family. For nearly 23 years, The Joyful Child has researched, developed, and implemented prevention education programs focused on the needs of children and families. The cornerstone BRAVE Program is grounded in the belief that effective prevention must begin from a child’s perspective. It teaches realistic strategies to recognize and avoid danger, self-advocate, and verbally or physically resist violence, abuse, or abduction. BRAVE empowers children and their families with critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—encouraging them to use their voices and create individualized family safety plans. In 2013, The Joyful Child launched the full 10-Lesson BRAVE Elementary Curriculum for credentialed teachers, along with BRAVE Workshops designed for nonprofits serving young families in transitional and low-income housing, as well as in subsidized after-school programs. In 2018, to expand access and reach, The Joyful Child began producing BRAVE Video Lessons for children in Grades K–6. These engaging videos empower young learners to assert personal boundaries and respond effectively to unsafe situations. In 2022, with support from the Orange County Department of Education, The Joyful Child developed three BRAVE Video Lessons and accompanying teacher training for Early Learners (Pre-Kindergarten). These resources have been distributed to all Early Learning Centers in Orange County and are also accessible to school and community partners through custom websites. Each site includes grade-specific lessons, teacher training videos, and resources for parents and caring adults. In 2024 The Joyful Child partnered with Healing To You (H2Y) for a project supported by funding from the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) American Rescue Plan COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines, and Mobile Health Unit Supplemental Funding Program, administered through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Together, we published our first BRAVE Comic Book with a QR Code linking to trauma-informed video lessons. The Comic Book is a tangible resource that introduces the core principles of safety empowerment in an accessible and engaging format. These materials are distributed through H2Y’s medical and mental health mobile units to survivors of domestic violence in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.