Inaugural S.A.F.E for Children® Story Clinic Convenes Community Leaders Across Columbus to Advance Family Strengthening and Child Safeguarding

Columbus, Ohio: The inaugural S.A.F.E for Children® Story Clinic, hosted by S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio, brought together a diverse group of community leaders and influencers from across Columbus, Franklin County, and Central Ohio for an evening dedicated to strengthening families and safeguarding children.

The Story Clinic, titled “Every Part of My Body Is Private to Me® Immersion: Priceless Lessons from My Child Sexual Abuse Story, Healing Pathways. Prevention Strategies. Culture-Systems Fortification,” marked the official launch of what the Society describes as a continuing community engagement initiative.

Reflecting on the inaugural gathering, Taiwo AKINLAMI, Founder of S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio, said:

“As I reflected on the evening, I came to appreciate even more clearly what we intentionally brought together. The Story Clinic became a foundational gathering of community gatekeepers, leaders whose professional responsibilities, institutional roles, and community influence uniquely position them to strengthen families and safeguard children across Columbus, Franklin County, and Central Ohio.”

The gathering included leaders and representatives from:

* Law enforcement
* City government
* Education and higher education
* Healthcare
* Child advocacy
* Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
* The business community
* Nonprofit organisations
* Neighbourhood leadership
* Faith communities
* News media
* New American communities

The programme centred on AKINLAMI’s deeply personal story of childhood sexual abuse, healing, resilience, and purpose, while equipping participants with practical strategies for prevention, early recognition, reporting, response, and the cultivation of child-safeguarding cultures within homes, institutions, and communities.

A major highlight of the evening was the participation of First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts of the Columbus Division of Police, who served as Voice of Direction. Her presentation combined professional insight with personal reflection, underscoring that effective child safeguarding requires both institutional excellence and authentic human compassion.

The programme also featured John Collins, Youth Advocate, Mentor, Community Leader, and CASA volunteer, who served as Story Witness, sharing his lived experience within the child welfare system and offering hope for healing and transformation.

The evening was guided by Richard Lombard, Founder and Executive Director of WorldviewU, whose leadership as Master of Ceremonies helped foster an atmosphere of dignity, thoughtful engagement, and meaningful dialogue.

Throughout the evening, participants explored the role of storytelling as a catalyst for healing, the importance of trauma-informed child safeguarding, the responsibility of trusted adults to recognise and respond to abuse, and the need to build cultures where children are protected before harm occurs.

The Society also introduced participants to its educational resources, including the children’s safeguarding comic, Every Part of My Body Is Private to Me®, together with publications on parenting, discipline, and child safegaurding designed to support families, educators, faith communities, and child-serving professionals.

According to AKINLAMI, the inaugural Story Clinic represents the beginning of a broader movement.

“The Story Clinic was never intended to remain within the walls of one meeting room. Our vision is to take this conversation into schools, places of worship, neighbourhoods, businesses, colleges and universities, government institutions, nonprofit organisations, and every community where adults influence the lives of children. Child safeguarding cannot belong to one profession alone. It is a shared responsibility.”

Participants received invitations to host future Story Clinics within their own institutions and communities, reflecting the Society’s commitment to expanding access to practical, community-based child safeguarding education throughout Central Ohio and beyond.

The S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio expressed profound gratitude to every participant, speaker, volunteer, partner, and supporter whose presence and contributions made the inaugural gathering possible.

The Society’s guiding conviction remains:

“A world fit for children begins with people fit for children.”

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About S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio

S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio is a nonprofit organisation committed to strengthening families and safeguarding children through education, advocacy, leadership development, storytelling, and community engagement. Through initiatives such as the S.A.F.E for Children® Story Clinic, the Society equips parents, educators, faith leaders, professionals, institutions, and communities to build cultures that protect children and promote their flourishing.

Media Contact

Taiwo AKINLAMI
Founder
S.A.F.E for Children® Society, Ohio

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