"The impact of a thumbprint" Annual Dinner - June 2, 2022

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 We are so grateful for your support and we would like to share with you the highlights of the "The Impact of a Thumbprint" Annual Dinner that was held on June 2, 2022 at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. We wanted to thank our Keynote Speaker District Attorney Summer Stephan. She has devoted her life to protecting children and families and provided justice to the most vulnerable.  

In addition we would like to thank, our other special guests Megan Dowell, Director of Homeless Services Salvation Army as well as Patricia Wenskunas President of Crime Survivors. In addition to our speakers, we also wanted to give thanks to Ainsley Savant who gave a wonderful tribute to those victims of Childhood Domestic Violence  which was captivating. 

 We look forward to the rest of 2022 and serving those voiceless children in need, our homeless children impacted by Childhood Domestic Violence. There is acknowledgment that a child who is exposed to domestic violence abuse, both physical and verbal, during their upbringing will suffer developmental and psychological damage.  Exposure to violence in the home negatively wires and encodes the child's developing brain (negative neural pathways are formed-forming a "thumbprint"). This "thumbprint" shapes a child's behavior, sense of self, and how they view others. If not addressed, these negative behaviors will assimilate into their lives, and it will perpetuate. The generational cycle persists. It is believed that the next homeless generation cycle has taken root as these children were trapped behind close doors, caught in the cross-fire during the time of COVID. A child who has been exposed to domestic violence is:

• 6 times more likely to commit suicide 
• 50 times more likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol 
• 74 times more likely to commit a crime
• 90% of our prisoners have domestic violence in their background 

We wanted to thank you for supporting The Thumbprint Project Foundation. As a foundation, we will let these children know "we see you, you matter-this is not your fault" and we are here to help.  As a community we can come together and help these children grow in safety, quality of life, and opportunity. Your continued support enables us bring more awareness about Childhood Domestic Violence and the impact to our communities and allows us to make a positive impact on these innocent victims.