Local Mom Turned Advocate Brings Child Abuse Prevention Nonprofit to the Coachella Valley

A Coachella Valley nonprofit dedicated to child abuse prevention is growing, and its founder knows the pain behind the mission firsthand.

Loving Way Foundation recently opened a new office in Palm Desert, expanding its reach across the desert as it works to support families affected by child abuse, particularly abusive head trauma. Founder Dawn McCoy started the organization after her son Waylon, now six years old, was abused at around six weeks old by someone the family trusted. Doctors diagnosed him with abusive head trauma. 75% of his left brain was damaged, and more than 50% of his right.

"I Googled. I tried to find everything I could to find out what our resources were," McCoy said. "I could find other child abuse resources, but not really about what we were going through with abusive head trauma and the physical abuse component. So I started Loving Way out of that, out of a hole that needed to be filled."

Beyond awareness, the foundation works to connect families with resources, advocates for justice for abuse victims, and organizes respite getaways for survivors and their caregivers, offering a chance to rest and recover outside of the day-to-day weight of their circumstances. 

One of the foundation's core messages is a simple rule of thumb for spotting potential abuse in infants: "If they don't cruise, they don't bruise." Babies under four months old are not mobile, so any bruising should be reported immediately to CPS or the Child Helpline at 1-800-4-CHILD.

"You don't need to be embarrassed," McCoy said. "You could save a life."

To mark Child Abuse Awareness Month this April, Loving Way is hosting a pre-Mother's Day Sip, Shop, Support event this Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chateau Dumont, a luxury private estate in Rancho Mirage.

Attendance is limited. To learn more or get involved, visitwww.lovingwayfoundation.org.