About
BRAVE Programs offers several types of personal safety and life skills education, including In-School BRAVE Curricula for K–6 schools, Community Partner BRAVE Workshops as single-session classes for children and teens, BRAVE Digital online video-based introductions for lessons and training (coming soon), and BRAVE Adult Education with tips and tools for parents and other caring adults. Program content may include sensitive personal safety topics, including abuse prevention and verbal and physical defense, and the program is educational and does not provide medical, psychological, or legal advice.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The BRAVE Programs are developed by The Joyful Child Foundation, whose mission is to develop, implement, support, and sponsor programs that uplift and unite any community to better protect children from all forms of violence or abuse. The Joyful Child Foundation develops, implements, supports, and/or sponsors programs that serve to empower children and adults with tools and training to proactively advocate for safety and better protect children from abuse, violence, and exploitation, including harassment, sexual abuse, trafficking, and abduction. The Joyful Child Foundation was started by Erin Runnion after her daughter, Samantha Runnion, was abducted and killed in 2002, and Erin Runnion serves as the Founding Director and host of The Joyful Gala 2026 and BRAVE RACE 2027 events.
A volunteer describes the BRAVE Programs as invaluable to building a child’s or adolescent’s self-confidence and self-advocacy and giving even young children the ability to develop and implement their own plan for their personal safety in many diverse situations. A newly trained BRAVE teacher reports that the training was beneficial as both a parent and teacher and appreciated the resources and stories that were shared. A parent from a BRAVE Elementary School shares that after BRAVE lessons at school, their child went directly to a police officer for safety when separated from the family during a bike ride. Another BRAVE Curriculum parent states that they feel the BRAVE curriculum should be a legally required education plan for all schools and are thankful their daughter will have the opportunity every year to learn it. A police officer with over 13 years of experience describes a BRAVE presentation as the most powerful presentation they had ever witnessed. A BRAVE Curriculum teacher thanks the program for sharing its story and skills, calling the information vital to the well-being of students and necessary in these times.
Last updated August 8, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The BRAVE Programs are developed by The Joyful Child Foundation, whose mission is to develop, implement, support, and sponsor programs that uplift and unite any community to better protect children from all forms of violence or abuse. The Joyful Child Foundation develops, implements, supports, and/or sponsors programs that serve to empower children and adults with tools and training to proactively advocate for safety and better protect children from abuse, violence, and exploitation, including harassment, sexual abuse, trafficking, and abduction. The Joyful Child Foundation was started by Erin Runnion after her daughter, Samantha Runnion, was abducted and killed in 2002, and Erin Runnion serves as the Founding Director and host of The Joyful Gala 2026 and BRAVE RACE 2027 events.
A volunteer describes the BRAVE Programs as invaluable to building a child’s or adolescent’s self-confidence and self-advocacy and giving even young children the ability to develop and implement their own plan for their personal safety in many diverse situations. A newly trained BRAVE teacher reports that the training was beneficial as both a parent and teacher and appreciated the resources and stories that were shared. A parent from a BRAVE Elementary School shares that after BRAVE lessons at school, their child went directly to a police officer for safety when separated from the family during a bike ride. Another BRAVE Curriculum parent states that they feel the BRAVE curriculum should be a legally required education plan for all schools and are thankful their daughter will have the opportunity every year to learn it. A police officer with over 13 years of experience describes a BRAVE presentation as the most powerful presentation they had ever witnessed. A BRAVE Curriculum teacher thanks the program for sharing its story and skills, calling the information vital to the well-being of students and necessary in these times.
Last updated August 8, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.