History

The history of Canopy Center speaks to the power of resilience, the importance of community and the impact of support systems in healing and preventing child abuse. 

Canopy Center began in 1977 with a young mother who was determined not to repeat the cycle of abuse she experienced growing up in abusive homes and foster homes. She moved to Madison in search of community - other parents to talk to who had similar experiences. A resourceful person, she was able to network her way into enough capital to make Canopy Center (then Parental Stress Center) a reality and offer support groups for children and parents through the Families United Network (FUN) framework. It was during one of these groups that she disclosed her sexual abuse. One by one each of the women participating in the group disclosed that they had also been sexually abused. This revelation highlighted the urgent need for a specialized form of support, ultimately paving the way for the development of the Oasis sexual abuse treatment program. 

Over the years, Canopy Center has adapted to the needs of the community with the advent and sunset of the Parent Stress Line, merger of the Dane and Columbia County CASA Programs and most recently, the certification of Oasis as a mental health clinic - continuously evolving while maintaining a focus on strengthening families and supporting those impacted by trauma and adversity.