EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN
Empowering God's Children is an age-appropriate, comprehensive program through which educators (catechists, teachers, and youth ministers) and parents can give children and youth the tools they need to protect themselves and what to do if someone tries to violate their boundaries.
Empowering God's Children is an age-appropriate, comprehensive program through which educators (catechists, teachers, and youth ministers) and parents can give children and youth the tools they need to protect themselves and what to do if someone tries to violate their boundaries.
St Rose of Lima’s Faith Formation program is partnering with parents and guardians in asking their assistance in presenting specific safe environment lessons to their child(ren). It is our cherished role as adults to fully protect children. In addition, we must also teach children about their safety rights and boundaries, so that they have tools to protect themselves.
Click here for the full Parent Letter
For the 2024-25 Faith Formation year, youth will be taught the following two safe environment lessons:
Lesson 1: Physical Boundaries: Safe and Unsafe Touching Rules
Children must learn tools to protect themselves from people who may harm them through physical touch (sexual or otherwise) to prevent / reduce the risk of sexual abuse and boundary violations.
Lesson 2: Safe Adults, Safe Touches and Special Safe Adults
Children must learn how to respect their own health and safety and the safety of others, by understanding the difference between safe and unsafe individuals. In this way, we work together to prevent / reduce the risk of sexual abuse and boundary violations.
The lesson plans include a grade-appropriate video component along with a hands-on activity. The material is designed to better equip your child to know their rights, recognize their boundaries, and to empower them to protect themselves when safe adults are not immediately available—and ultimately be safer from people who might want to harm them.
Unlike previous years, there is no standard opt-out form available to the parents. Parents are required by the Archdiocese of Newark to provide these lessons to their children at home. We must have a response from every family enrolled in our Faith Formation Program in order to remain in compliance with the Archdiocese of Newark’s directives. We appreciate your cooperation and participation.
Before teaching the lessons, please review the following important resources:
Program Overview - provides support to parents in educating children about preventing sexual abuse.
Program Overview
Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide - this booklet is a primary resource that assists parents with anticipating common questions and situations that occur in the safety lessons and diffuses fears.
Program Overview
Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide - this booklet is a primary resource that assists parents with anticipating common questions and situations that occur in the safety lessons and diffuses fears.
Please click on the following Lesson Plans with embedded You-tube video links to watch with your child(ren) for their specific grade level:
K - 2nd Grade:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
3 - 5th Grade:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
6 - 8th Grade:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
9 - 12th Grade:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
NOTE: All lessons must be completed by March 15, 2025.
Once you have completed both lessons for your child’s grade level, please complete and return the required archdiocesan Acknowledgment Form:
(one form per family), email to
Acknowledgment Form
