D’Veal Communication Team

Maria had big plans for summer.

No more early mornings. No more homework. Just rest, family time, and fun.

But two weeks after school ended, Maria called D’Veal Family and Youth Services. The call came with tears.

Her ten-year-old son had changed. Sleep was not coming easily. Anger came quickly. A quiet had settled in — but not the peaceful kind.From the outside, everything looked fine. School was out. A child should have been happy, right?

But something was wrong.

Maria’s story is not unusual. D’Veal hears it every June.

Why Summer Can Be Hard for Kids

Most people think summer is easy for children. No school. No homework. Lots of free time.

But for many kids, school does more than teach. School gives children a schedule, a

social life with friends to see every day and trusted adults who check in on them. It also

provides a reason to get up, get dressed, and show up somewhere.

When the school year ends, all of that stops at once.

For most children, that is okay. Some children adjust and find things to do. Most children

enjoy and welcome the break.

But some children struggle when that structure disappears. This is especially true for

children who already deal with worry, fear, or family stress. Without the routine of

school, things that were manageable can become harder. Feelings that were easier to

carry during busy school days can feel heavier in the quiet of summer.

“When the school day ends for summer, some children feel lost — not free.”

Summer is not the problem. The missing structure is.

And when a child does not have the words to explain that feeling, the feeling shows up

in other ways — in behavior, in mood, in sleep, in silence.

This does not mean summer is bad. It just means some children need a little more

support to get through it.

Signs Your Child May Need Support

Parents and caregivers do not have to wait for a crisis to pay attention. Small signs

matter. Early action helps.

Here are some things to watch for during the summer months. These signs may mean a

child is struggling:

• Getting upset or angry more than usual — and it lasts for more than two weeks

• Stopping activities that used to bring joy

• Pulling away from friends or avoiding social time

• Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping much more than usual

• Complaining about stomachaches or headaches when a doctor says the body is fine

• Getting very upset when small plans change

These signs do not mean something is broken. They’re signs a child is having a hard

time and needs some help.

Children do not always have words for how they feel. So these feelings come out

through behavior instead.

When these signs appear, pay attention. Trust what is being seen.

A child who is withdrawing, snapping, or shutting down is not being difficult on purpose.

When a child is in that place, he/she is asking for help in the only language available at that moment.

You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis

Many families think support only makes sense when things get very bad. Many families

wait, hoping the behavior will pass on its own.

Sometimes it does. But waiting too long can turn small struggles into bigger ones.

The best time to reach out is early — before small problems grow into large ones.

Before a child feels like something is wrong with them. Before a parent feels like the

only option is to manage alone.

At D’Veal, the work happens right where families live. D’Veal staff can come to a home,

a child’s school, or a place in the community. There is no need to drive to an office.

There is no waiting room.

D’Veal meets families where they are. Because that is where real help happens.

“You do not have to figure this out alone. That is why D’Veal is here.”

What D’Veal’s Support Looks Like

D’Veal Family and Youth Services has been helping children and families in the San

Gabriel Valley since 1993. That is more than 30 years of showing up for families who

needed someone in their corner.

D’Veal’s staff are trained and licensed. Work happens with children one-on-one. Work

also happens with whole families together.

D’Veal helps children learn how to talk about feelings. D’Veal helps parents and children

understand each other better. And when things get hard fast, D’Veal is there for families

in crisis too.Support looks different for every family. For one family, it might mean a therapist visiting

the home twice a week to work with a child directly. For another family, it might mean a

specialist helping parents learn new ways to respond when big emotions show up. For

another, it might mean crisis support on a night when everything feels like too much.

D’Veal does not offer one-size-fits-all solutions. D’Veal offers real help for real families,

built around what each family actually needs.

One mother shared that managing her son’s struggles alone had gone on for three

summers. The situation did not feel “big enough” to ask for help.

After six weeks with D’Veal, that son started the school year with tools that had not been

there before. And that mother felt like a partner in the process — not someone carrying

it all alone.

A Better Summer Is Possible

Maria’s son is doing better now.

A trusted therapist is part of the picture. Maria now knows how to read the signs and

how to respond. The whole family feels less alone.

Summer can still be hard sometimes. But summer can also be a time of real growth —

for children and for the adults who love them.

The difference is usually support.

If a child is struggling this summer — or if being proactive feels right — please reach

out. There is no reason to wait.

Help a Family This Summer — Make a Donation

Many of the families D’Veal serves do not have a lot of money. Some are dealing with

poverty, past trauma, and big challenges — on top of trying to help their children.

A donation to D’Veal helps reach those families.

Every gift to D’Veal helps pay for:

• Therapy for children who need it

• Support for families during hard moments

• Training for the staff who go into homes and communities

Every gift matters. Every gift reaches a real family.