Charlottesville Nonprofit Seeks Funds to Expand Youth Trauma Counseling

ReadyKids aims to hire another counselor to meet surge in demand for free trauma services

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:23pm

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A Charlottesville, Virginia nonprofit called ReadyKids is launching a fundraiser to raise $80,000 in 30 days to hire an additional counselor and expand its youth trauma counseling program. The organization has seen a significant increase in referrals, with 270 so far this fiscal year compared to 191 last year, but has had to close its waitlist at times due to limited resources.

Why it matters

Youth trauma counseling is a critical service, as many children in the Charlottesville area have experienced abuse, neglect, family instability, or acute crises. However, ReadyKids' program has faced funding challenges, including $200,000 in federal cuts in 2025, making it reliant on individual donors to meet the growing demand.

The details

ReadyKids offers evidence-based trauma counseling to kids and teenagers at no cost, but the nonprofit has had to close its waitlist on and off due to the surge in demand. For every child receiving counseling, there are three more on the waitlist. The organization is now looking to the community to help raise $80,000 in 30 days to hire an additional counselor.

  • Last fiscal year, ReadyKids saw 191 trauma counseling referrals.
  • So far this fiscal year, which is still three months away from ending, ReadyKids has already seen 270 referrals.

The players

ReadyKids

A Charlottesville, Virginia nonprofit that offers free, evidence-based trauma counseling to children and teenagers in the community.

Eileen Barber

The Donor and Communications Manager at ReadyKids.

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What they’re saying

“For every child who receives trauma counseling at ReadyKids, there are three more on the waitlist. The need is really great in our area, and these are kids who have received abuse, neglect, family instability, or acute crisis.”

— Eileen Barber, Donor and Communications Manager, ReadyKids

“We've really relied on our individual donors to fill those gaps, and they have, which is amazing, but as we're seeing, the funds are drying up, and the needs are greater than ever. These aren't just numbers on a waitlist, these are children in our community who need help.”

— Eileen Barber, Donor and Communications Manager, ReadyKids

What’s next

ReadyKids is aiming to raise $80,000 in the next 30 days to hire an additional counselor and expand its youth trauma counseling program to meet the growing demand.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for youth trauma counseling services in the Charlottesville area, and the challenges nonprofits like ReadyKids face in securing the necessary funding to meet the demand. The community's support will be crucial in ensuring that more children in crisis can access the help they need.