Born From a Mission to Help Every Child Feel Safe, Heard, and Brave
The Brave Star Corporation is a California nonprofit founded by author and child safety advocate Yvonne C. Withers. We help children find the courage to speak up, understand personal boundaries, identify trusted adults, and ask for help.
Yvonne C. Withers
Founder, The Brave Star Corporation
Yvonne C. Withers is an author and child safety advocate whose work centers on one belief: every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and brave. Through The Brave Star Corporation, she creates books, educational resources, and community programs that help adults guide children through age-appropriate conversations about body safety, personal boundaries, trusted adults, and speaking up.
Yvonne is the author of Zuri's Brave Star: Finding the Courage to Speak Up, illustrated by Nikia Withers — a children's book that opens conversations about body safety and trusted adults for families and classrooms. She is available for author visits, parent and educator presentations, and school partnerships throughout Southern California and beyond.
"When children know their voice matters, they use it. That's how we protect them before harm occurs."
Our Mission & Vision
Mission
To help children find the courage to speak up, understand personal boundaries, identify trusted adults, and ask for help — through children's books, educational resources, and conversations with families and educators.
Vision
A world where every child grows up knowing their body belongs to them, their voice matters, and they are never alone in asking for help.
Core values
Empowerment
We believe children are capable of protecting themselves when given the right tools, language, and support from the adults around them.
Prevention
We act before harm occurs — equipping families, educators, and communities with proactive education and age-appropriate resources.
Compassion
Abuse is never a child's fault. We approach every conversation with warmth, care, and a commitment to keeping children at the center.
Inclusion
Every child, regardless of background, deserves access to safety education, trusted adults, and the confidence to speak up.
How The Brave Star Helps
Through books, educational resources, and community programs, we support body safety, confidence, bullying prevention, and awareness of grooming and abuse.
Voice
Teaching children that their words have power — and that speaking up is always the right choice, no matter what.
Bravery
Building the courage to say no, ask for help, and trust their instincts even when it feels hard or scary.
Body Safety
Using stories and books to normalize age-appropriate conversations about body autonomy and personal boundaries.
Trusted Adults
Helping children identify the safe adults in their lives and understand when and how to ask for help.
Boundaries
Empowering children to own their personal space and say no to anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Awareness
Raising awareness of grooming behaviors and warning signs so families and schools can recognize and respond early.
Community
Partnering with parents, educators, childcare providers, and community organizations to protect every child.
Ready to Bring The Brave Star to Your Community?
Explore the book, invite Yvonne to speak, or partner with us to bring child safety education to your school or organization.