Support group formed to help teens who have been abused (WEAU)

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Family & Children’s Center in La Crosse has launched its new Teen Support Group, a program created for youth ages 13-18 who have experienced abuse.

Supported by a recent $64,680 grant from La Crosse Area Community Foundation, the group fills a longstanding gap in local services by providing a safe, trauma-informed space where teens can connect with peers, build coping skills and learn about resources available to support their healing.

“I might be able to tell them that things are going to be okay, or that they’re going to get through this, other children and teens have gone through similar things. But hearing it from me as an adult isn’t quite the same as being able to hear it from another teen themselves,” said Danielle Swedberg, Family & Children’s Center program coordinator.

Group meetings happen every Monday. Program officials say it is beneficial for teens to talk about past traumas involving abuse rather than keep it inside throughout the rest of their lives.

“We look at those long-term effects and that can increase poor mental health, physical health. It can lead to criminal activity in their teen or adult years, and just the overall negative effect of abuse not being treated or supported. It can be a lifelong battle for someone,” said Swedberg.

Officials add that they also want to help teach teens healing and recovery skills.

“Coping skills, emotional management, and also just regular like skills, like money management skills, managing social media, things like that. Being able to have that captive audience of teens in the group and not only provide peer support, but also other activities and life lessons that can help and support them,” said Swedberg.

Article originally appeared on WEAU and WLAX/WEUX on July 22, 2026.