Meet the Founder.
Amy Barth, Founder.
Photo by Mary Newman.
Amy Barth is a thriver. An activist and accomplished mother of three daughters, Amy has taken her experience of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) and turned it into her life’s passion. Knowing that CSA can be overcome, Amy created the non-profit organization Safe Girls Strong Girls in 2005 to break the silence of CSA and give girls their voices back.
She focused her energies on activism through the BREAK THE SILENCE World Quilt Project and raised funds for Safe Girls Strong Girls with the annual Kaleidoscope Gala. She networked to engage city leaders in conversations about CSA. She wrote four books: Annabelle’s Secret, Will the Courageous, 101 Tips for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and 101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders.
But then she had an idea. As a survivor who had dealt with CSA’s ramifications later in life, she wanted to help girls overcome the trauma of CSA before reaching adulthood. Thus, Camp Cadi was born. The revolutionary camp has served more than 150 girls since its creation and provided resources for 750 families. With a focus on traditional camp experiences and art related activities, compassionate and confident therapists, and the healing power of community, Camp Cadi has become a model for empowerment.
Prior to founding Safe Girls Strong Girls, Amy was national director for a student exchange program. While living in New York, she founded Teens Needing Teens, a peer counseling hotline; began a play therapy program at Woman In Need, a shelter for homeless mothers and children; and was director of the Suicide Prevention Program at John Jay High School. Amy holds a B.S. in Child and Community from Lesley University in Cambridge. She is currently working towards a doctorate in Counselor Education.
She focused her energies on activism through the BREAK THE SILENCE World Quilt Project and raised funds for Safe Girls Strong Girls with the annual Kaleidoscope Gala. She networked to engage city leaders in conversations about CSA. She wrote four books: Annabelle’s Secret, Will the Courageous, 101 Tips for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and 101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders.
But then she had an idea. As a survivor who had dealt with CSA’s ramifications later in life, she wanted to help girls overcome the trauma of CSA before reaching adulthood. Thus, Camp Cadi was born. The revolutionary camp has served more than 150 girls since its creation and provided resources for 750 families. With a focus on traditional camp experiences and art related activities, compassionate and confident therapists, and the healing power of community, Camp Cadi has become a model for empowerment.
Prior to founding Safe Girls Strong Girls, Amy was national director for a student exchange program. While living in New York, she founded Teens Needing Teens, a peer counseling hotline; began a play therapy program at Woman In Need, a shelter for homeless mothers and children; and was director of the Suicide Prevention Program at John Jay High School. Amy holds a B.S. in Child and Community from Lesley University in Cambridge. She is currently working towards a doctorate in Counselor Education.
