For a child who has experienced abuse, walking into a courtroom can be one of the most intimidating experiences of their life. But with the right preparation, support, and understanding, fear can begin to turn into confidence. At the Canadian Court Prep and Advocacy Association (CCAA), we believe that every child deserves to feel informed, supported, and empowered when navigating the justice system. And with the generosity of individuals, families, and businesses, we can continue making that possible.

Who We Are: The Canadian Court Prep and Advocacy Association

Formerly known as the Canadian Child Abuse Association, CCAA is dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families who are navigating the court process following experiences of abuse. Through our Child and Youth Witness Court Preparation Program, we help young witnesses better understand what to expect when attending court, reduce feelings of uncertainty, and develop the confidence to share their experiences.

For many children, the courtroom is an unfamiliar and overwhelming environment. They may have questions about who will be there, what will happen, and what it means to be a witness. Our program helps answer those questions through age-appropriate education, practical resources, and supportive court preparation sessions.

Our goal isn’t to tell children what to say. It’s to help them feel prepared and supported when it’s their turn to speak.

The Impact of Court Preparation:

Does court preparation really make a difference? Our program evaluation results suggest that it can. We asked participants in our Child and Youth Witness Court Preparation Program a simple question: “How do you feel about being a witness in court? “Before participating in the program, just 12.2% of children and youth described being a witness in court as “not stressful, not upsetting.” After completing the program, that number increased to 25%. That’s more than double the percentage of young witnesses who felt that going to court would not be stressful or upsetting. While every child’s experience is unique, these results highlight the potential impact of helping young people understand the court process and feel more prepared for what lies ahead.

See the Difference Your Donation Can Make

Every donation to CCAA helps us continue providing resources, education, and support to children, youth, and families navigating the justice system. Whether you’re an individual looking to make a meaningful contribution or a business hoping to create a lasting impact, we’ve created giving opportunities that demonstrate how your generosity can support our work.

Give Comfort: $25

A little comfort can go a long way. For a child preparing to attend court, something as simple as a stuffed animal, fidget toy, or activity book can provide a sense of reassurance during an unfamiliar experience. Your gift helps provide comforting toys and activities for young witnesses.

Build Confidence: $50

Knowledge can help make the unknown feel less frightening. Understanding what happens in a courtroom can help children feel more prepared for the experience ahead. Your donation helps provide specially designed court preparation workbooks and session supplies that explain the court process in a child-friendly, accessible way.

Provide Care: $100

Sometimes, support means simply showing up. Court preparation facilitators play an important role in helping young witnesses navigate the justice system. Your contribution helps cover transportation costs for facilitators attending in-person court preparation sessions, making it easier to deliver meaningful support to children and families.

Give Support: $250

A courtroom can feel less intimidating when you know what to expect. Through educational sessions and practical courtroom tours, children can become familiar with the environment, people, and procedures they may encounter. Your donation helps provide valuable court education and virtual or in-person courtroom tours for young witnesses.

Corporate Giving: Your Company’s Success Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life

Businesses have an incredible opportunity to create meaningful change in their communities. For a child who has experienced abuse, facing the courtroom can be frightening and overwhelming. Corporate generosity helps CCAA expand its reach, strengthen its programs, and provide more young witnesses with the resources they deserve. Whether your organization is looking to give back, support a meaningful cause, or make a lasting community impact, corporate giving can help us reach more children and families.

Inspire: $1,500

Empower the people who empower children. Help train eight new court preparation facilitators, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to guide young witnesses through the court process. Your contribution supports the development of the professionals who make our programs possible.

Equip: $7,500

Give our team the tools to make a difference. Behind every successful program is a team that needs the right resources to do its work. Your contribution helps provide four CCAA staff members with computers and essential software to support children, youth, and families.

Sustain: $10,000

Help keep vital support available. Consistency and reliable staffing are essential to delivering meaningful programs. Your contribution helps fund one full year of essential part-time staffing, supporting CCAA’s ability to continue providing court preparation services to children and families.

Transform: $20,000

Help create meaningful change for 150 young witnesses. Imagine helping 150 children and youth feel more informed, prepared, and confident as they navigate the justice system. Your generosity helps support court preparation for 150 young witnesses, giving them access to education and guidance during a challenging time.

Every Gift Has the Power to Make a Difference

Whether it’s $25 for a comforting stuffed animal, $250 for court education, or $20,000 to help prepare 150 young witnesses, every contribution plays a role in supporting children and families. And while the size of each donation may differ, the mission remains the same: To help children and youth face the court process with greater understanding, preparation, and confidence.

Your generosity supports more than a program. It supports children who deserve to feel heard, families who need guidance, and professionals who are committed to making a difference. Together, we can help make the courtroom a little less intimidating for the children who must enter it.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Explore our individual and corporate giving opportunities and help us continue supporting young witnesses across Canada.

Donate today at ccaa.org

Donation Disclosure: 100% of donations received by the Canadian Court Prep and Advocacy Association (CCAA) are dedicated to supporting CCAA’s programs and operations. Funds are allocated and distributed as needed to support our work and advance our mission of helping children, youth, and families prepare for court following experiences of abuse.