Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are serious childhood traumas that result in toxic stress that can harm a child's brain. This toxic stress may prevent children from learning, playing in a healthy way with other children, and can result in long-term health problems. 

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Adverse Childhood Experiences can include: 

• Emotional abuse 

• Physical abuse 

• Sexual abuse 

• Emotional neglect 

• Physical neglect 

• Mother treated violently 

• Household substance abuse 

• Household mental illness 

• Parental separation or divorce 

• Incarcerated household member 

• Bullying

• Racism 

• Homelessness 

• Natural disasters or war 

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Resilience

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Resilience is the ability to return to being healthy and hopeful after bad things happen. Research shows that if parents, families, and schools provide a safe environment for their children and teach them how to be resilient, that helps reduce the effects of ACES. Loaves and Fishes believe that teaching resilience can help reduce the effects of ACEs. 

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The Loaves and Fishes staff is dedicated to helping our students and their families overcome their ACEs and develop resilience. LAF staff attends training on ACEs and Resilience and works every day to help students identify their feelings and manage their emotions. Loaves and Fishes prides itself on creating a safe physical and emotional environment for students and families to gain a better understanding of ACEs.