Our Mission
When my son was two years old, the world shut down. COVID had taken away playgrounds, birthday parties, and smiles behind masks. But what it took from him was even bigger — his voice.
He would go to school and say nothing. Not to the teacher. Not to the other kids. He’d hold his bladder the entire day rather than ask to use the bathroom… s
When my son was two years old, the world shut down. COVID had taken away playgrounds, birthday parties, and smiles behind masks. But what it took from him was even bigger — his voice.
He would go to school and say nothing. Not to the teacher. Not to the other kids. He’d hold his bladder the entire day rather than ask to use the bathroom… sometimes even wetting his pants rather than speak.
And it wasn’t because he didn’t want to. He desperately wanted to talk. To laugh. To connect.
But when someone he didn’t know well spoke to him, his body froze. His voice locked inside, like a bird trapped in a cage.
This is Selective Mutism — a severe anxiety disorder that’s often mistaken for “shyness.”
But this isn’t shyness. This is suffering.
A child — or teen, or even adult — with Selective Mutism has the urge to speak, but the words simply won’t come out. And the longer it goes undiagnosed, the harder it is to treat.
Early intervention changes everything. My son is one of the lucky ones — he was diagnosed early, and with treatment at places like the Child Mind Institute, he’s learning to unlock his voice.
But too many children aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late. Too many teens are labeled “antisocial” or “weird.” Too many adults carry the silent weight of a lifetime spent on the outside looking in.
Selective Mutism doesn’t just steal voices. It steals childhoods. Friendships. Confidence. Futures.
I'd like to start a movement — Voices Unlocked — to raise awareness, fund treatment, and train teachers, coaches, and communities to recognize the signs early.
Because no child should spend their school years in silence. Because no teenager should feel invisible. Because everyone deserves the right to speak and be heard.
Your donation can give a child more than therapy — it can give them their life back.
Let’s not let another voice go unheard.
Help Us Give Voices to Children in Need
Your donations are crucial in supporting children with Selective Mutism. Together, we can provide therapy, resources, and awareness to help them regain their voices. Join us in making a difference today!
All proceeds will go to the Child Mind Institute.