A Certified Team Effort
What if the key to protecting children from sexual abuse wasn’t just in knowing what to look for, but in creating a culture where prevention is second nature? For Cherisse and Tova, this shift in mindset is the heart of their work. Through their dynamic partnership as Stewards of Children® Certified Instructors, they’ve turned awareness into action, training adults in communities across the country to not only recognize the signs of abuse but to actively work to prevent it before it happens.
Their partnership began through a shared passion for advocacy and education. Tova, whose career began in service-oriented roles, had always been driven by a deep sense of self-awareness, clarity, and connection. Her experience at the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County, where she helped launch the Outreach Awareness Program through Dayton Children’s Hospital, only deepened her commitment to fighting child sexual abuse. Tova’s belief that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, supportive environment aligned perfectly with Cherisse’s own work in child advocacy. Cherisse, who had worked with the Missouri Network of Child Advocacy Centers, had been searching for a proven, effective child abuse prevention curriculum—and Stewards of Children® was the answer. She found the program’s structure to be not only comprehensive but also practical for adults who wanted to make a difference.
Together, they co-instruct Authorized Facilitator Workshops, which teaches individuals how to facilitate Stewards of Children® trainings. Their teamwork brings a dynamic energy to the training environment, with each woman offering unique perspectives. Tova’s natural ability to motivate others and Cherisse’s calm, thoughtful approach create a balanced atmosphere where participants feel engaged and supported. They complement each other’s strengths, using their diverse experiences to enhance the learning process. By co-instructing, they model the importance of collaboration, showing participants how working together creates stronger, more powerful results.
One of the most profound aspects of their training is the shift in perspective it encourages. Cherisse and Tova emphasize that preventing child abuse isn’t just about knowing the signs—it’s about creating a culture of awareness and caring. They teach participants how simple environmental changes and the actions of compassionate adults can form a protective shield around children. With these tools, adults can take proactive steps to ensure the safety of the children in their lives.
The impact of their work is clear. Participants leave the training with a renewed sense of responsibility and a commitment to protecting children. For Tova and Cherisse, the work doesn’t end with each workshop. Their mission is ongoing, with a shared goal of fostering a community where discussing abuse prevention becomes the norm. The more people talk openly about child sexual abuse, the safer children will be.
Together, they are creating ripples of change, one workshop at a time. And as the conversation about child abuse becomes more common, they know they are helping to build a future where children can grow up free from harm—safe, loved, and protected.
When we support each other, the prevention of child sexual abuse is not only possible, it’s inevitable!
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