We turn pain into purpose.

Light Beyond Shadows exists to help children and teens overcome trauma, discover resilience, and believe they are worthy of a brighter future.

Mission

Empowering our youth to overcome adversity by illuminating paths to hope, healing, and resilience. Light Beyond Shadows dedicates itself to supporting communities, fostering connection, and inspiring transformation.

Vision

A community where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to rise beyond their pain-where healing replaces shame, and connection replaces silence.

Light Beyond Shadows was created by people who have lived it.

Our founder, Rebecca "Becky" Salazar Crouch, knows what it's like to grow up and survive sexual abuse, trauma and addiction. She also knows what it takes to rebuild. Through her own healing journey, Becky made a decision: the cycle stops here.

Light Beyond Shadows began as a promise that no child in our community should have to walk through pain alone. Today, that promise drives every group we lead, every volunteer we train, and every family we serve.

Our Team

Rebecca "Becky" Salazar Crouch - CEO/ Founder

Tara Baxter - Vice President

Alysia Salazar - Vice President

Sherry Burkhammer - Secretary

Glenda Braido - Treasurer

Jenny Jensen - Fundraising

Our board brings together lived experience, community leadership, and a shared mission to create lasting change. Every decision - from finances to programming - is made with transparency, compassion, and accountability.

Our Standards of Care

1. Trauma-Informed Practice

We recognize that every child's story is unique. We respond with empathy, not judgment, and create environments built on safety, trust, empowerment, and choice.

2. Safety First - Physical, Emotional, & Psychological

Emotional, physical, and psychological safety come before anything else. No bullying, yelling, shaming, or punishment-based discipline is ever used in our programs.

3. Dignity & Respect

Every child is treated with respect - never defined by their past, behavior, or circumstances. We speak with them, not about them.

4. Youth Voice & Choice

Kids are encouraged to make choices, express themselves, and participate in ways that feel safe to them. We do things with youth, not to them.

5. Inclusive & Judgment-Free

We welcome all children regardless of background, race, identity, ability, or income. Every child belongs here.

6. Confidentiality & Trust

Stories shared in our space stay in our space. Staff follow professional boundaries and privacy standards at all times.

7. Consistency & Reliability

Healing requires stability. Our staff and volunteers show up, physically and emotionally, so kids can count on us.

8. Whole-Child Support

We go beyond "programming." We focus on healthy coping skills, creativity, social connection, emotional regulation, life skills, and self-worth.

9. Trained & Screened Adults

Every staff member and volunteer is trained in trauma-informed care and passes background checks. We hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of others.

10. Healing-Centered Community

We help kids rediscover joy, confidence, safety, and purpose, not just "recover from trauma." We believe every child deserves a future of possibility.

Be Part of the Light

Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word, you help kids find hope beyond trauma. Healing begins when we stand together.