Open Door Abuse Awareness Prevention

Abuse Awareness Prevention (ODAAP) was borne out of a personal experience with intimate partner violence.  When ODAAP founder, Valencia Peterson was a young girl, her father killed her mother.  As she confronted the harsh realities of this trauma, she realized that several factors precipitated her father's decision, including his own trauma. This led to the epiphany that still drives her today: Violence is preventable. After gaining a background in trauma-informed care, she began efforts to reduce the likelihood of violence by developing skills in boys.  In 2014, Peterson formed ODAAP to partner with sports teams to train players and coaches in topics that range from self-regulation to healthy relationships.  This sports-based initiative later became known as Beyond the Game.  Since then, ODAAP's work has expanded to include Intentionally Caring United (ICU) and Boys Made Men (BMM), designed to empower girls and boys in their transition to adulthood.  ODAAP has also developed a curriculum for coaches and formed partnerships with the Philadelphia Eagles, Thomas Jefferson University, and Futures Without Violence.  Since its inception, ODAAP has worked with over 10 high  chools in three states garnering praise from youth, parents, coaches,
and school administrators.