Child abuse is one of the most difficult and complex issues facing society, yet it remains largely hidden behind closed doors. For more than six decades, Childhelp has been at the forefront of addressing this crisis, building some of the most widely used programs, policies, and prevention models in the United States.
In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten sits down with Michael Medoro, COO of Childhelp, to explore how the organization has evolved into a national leader in child protection. From pioneering legislation to operating the only 24/7 national child abuse hotline staffed by professional counselors, Childhelp has directly impacted more than 15 million children and continues to expand its reach.
This conversation goes beyond awareness. It digs into prevention, collaboration across nonprofits, and what it actually takes to break cycles of abuse at scale.
Overview
Show Notes
Guest: Michael Medoro, CEO of Childhelp
Organization: Childhelp
Founded: 1959
Mission: Eradicate child abuse and neglect
Key Topics Covered:
- The origin story of Childhelp and its founders
- Operation Babylift and early global impact
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
- Prevention education through Speak Up Be Safe
- How Childhelp reshaped child advocacy center models
- Why nonprofit collaboration is critical to solving systemic issues
- The role of technology in modern child safety challenges
- Practical ways individuals can get involved
Interview
Q: For those unfamiliar, what is Childhelp and how did it begin?
Michael Medoro:
Childhelp is one of the largest and oldest nonprofits in the country dedicated to eradicating child abuse. It was founded in 1959 by two Hollywood actresses who were serving overseas with the USO.
While in Japan, they encountered a group of abandoned children who had nowhere to go. That moment sparked the beginning of Childhelp. From there, they built orphanages, hospitals, and schools, eventually expanding their work globally.
One of the most significant early efforts was Operation Babylift, where they helped rescue more than 3,500 children during the fall of Saigon and brought them to the United States to be adopted.
Q: How did Childhelp evolve into a national leader in child protection?
Michael Medoro:
After that early work, Ronald and Nancy Reagan asked the founders to take on an issue that very few people were willing to address at the time, child abuse.
From there, Childhelp helped pioneer much of the legislation, programming, and service models that exist today in child welfare. Over nearly 68 years, the organization has built a comprehensive ecosystem of services that address prevention, intervention, and recovery.
Q: What are some of the core programs Childhelp operates today?
Michael Medoro:
One of the most critical programs is the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which operates 24/7, 365 days a year with professionally trained counselors and supports over 170 languages.
We also run Speak Up Be Safe, a prevention education curriculum for students from pre-K through 12th grade. It teaches children how to recognize abuse and what to do if they experience or witness it.
Another major program is our residential treatment facility in Virginia, where children who have experienced severe trauma receive individualized care through therapy, education, and long-term recovery planning.
Q: Childhelp also pioneered changes in how abuse cases are handled. Can you explain that?
Michael Medoro:
Historically, children had to retell their abuse story multiple times to different professionals, which re-traumatized them and often weakened legal cases.
Childhelp helped create the child advocacy center model, where all professionals collaborate under one roof. The child tells their story once in a safe, controlled environment, and that interview is shared across the entire team.
This approach reduces trauma for the child and increases accountability for offenders. It’s now used across the country and internationally.
Q: You spoke about nonprofit collaboration. Why is that so important?
Michael Medoro:
One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector is fragmentation. Too many organizations are competing for the same resources while trying to solve the same problems.
Real impact happens when organizations align their strengths and work together. At our advocacy centers, we partner with hospitals, law enforcement, and government agencies under one roof. That model works, and it’s something the broader sector needs more of.
Q: What does prevention look like in practice?
Michael Medoro:
Prevention starts with education. We know that about 90% of abused children were abused by someone who was also abused. That cycle continues unless it’s broken.
Our focus is on educating not just children, but entire communities, parents, teachers, coaches, and caregivers. We’re also expanding into specialized programs for athletes and adults to ensure everyone knows how to respond to unsafe situations.
The goal is to stop abuse before it ever begins.
Q: How is technology changing the landscape of child safety?
Michael Medoro:
Technology has made things more complex. We’re seeing new risks tied to social media, AI, and digital platforms.
There are cases where children are being exploited through manipulated images or even receiving harmful guidance from AI tools. Predators can now reach multiple children at scale, which makes prevention and education even more critical.
That’s why collaboration and rapid adaptation are essential. No single organization can keep up with these changes alone.
Q: How can individuals get involved with Childhelp?
Michael Medoro:
The first step is simple, learn. Visit Childhelp.org and understand the scope of the issue and the work being done.
From there, you can donate, volunteer, or connect directly with our team. We’re always looking for partners who want to help expand prevention efforts and support children in need.
Q: Why does this work matter so much to you personally?
Michael Medoro:
I’m a father of three, and my children mean everything to me. I want them, and every child, to grow up in a safe environment where they can thrive.
If we’re not protecting and investing in our children, nothing else really matters. That belief drives everything I do in this role.
Final Takeaway
Childhelp’s work is both urgent and foundational. It addresses not just the symptoms of child abuse, but the systems, behaviors, and environments that allow it to persist.
The biggest insight from this conversation is simple: prevention and collaboration are the only scalable paths forward.
For nonprofit leaders, funders, and communities, the message is clear. Stop competing. Start aligning. That’s how real change happens.
