She is a retired teacher in the L.A. Unified School District who, for more than 30 years, taught all grades, special education, the deaf --- or, as she says, "the entire gamut, every possible age-level." He is a retired computer scientist who worked for more than 40 years in the aircraft industry.

Together, Patti and Grant Laney are parents, grandparents, active parishioners and volunteers at Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro --- and, in a very real sense, modern-day missionaries of safety for young people.

Patti and Grant are facilitators in Good-Touch/Bad-Touch®, a body safety program for students in grades K-6 that is being presented in parish schools and Religious Education programs throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In Good-Touch/Bad-Touch®, children are taught the definition of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. They learn that their bodies are their own.

Most importantly, the children are taught that they are never at fault if someone sexually abuses them, and if it happens, to keep telling and telling until they find an adult who believes them.

Through a generous grant from the UniHealth Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization, the Archdiocese has trained nine classroom facilitators, including the Laneys, to teach the program in parish schools and Religious Education programs.

"When we retired, we were looking for a mission, something we could be passionate about," explains Grant. "We wanted involvement in a ministry where we could make a profound difference in the world."

The Laneys were among a group of volunteers invited by Joan Vienna, Coordinator of the Office of Safeguard the Children, to attend a five-day, intensive training session to become Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® classroom facilitators. (Patti recalls that Joan said emphatically, "You be there!")

"How could anyone not get set on fire by this program?" enthuses Grant. "You know you are doing good. It is a perfect fit for Patti and me. We know we have been called by God and blessed to do this work for God's children and our Church."

The program almost teaches itself, explains Patti. "It gives the children a sense of how wonderful and special they are --- and so is everyone else. It empowers children to trust their own feelings and to understand their right to ask questions when they feel uncomfortable or confused about someone's behavior."

The Laneys often receive touching letters from children who express their gratitude for all they have learned in the Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® Program. For example:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Laney,

We are really pleased that you came to our class. The important thing I learned from you was about sexual abuse. I learned to say, it is my body. I will say "NO" and run away. You can break a secret. Tell and tell until an adult believes you.

Your friend,
M.H., Room 2
And the following:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Laney,
Thank you for your teachings. We all loved you. Second grade is happy you ever lived.
Your friend,
G. M.

Patti and Grant admit there are a few challenges. Their classroom time is limited, and the children want to share so much. It is sometimes difficult to keep moving the lesson forward. They are always concerned that they will say the right thing. Before they go to a school, they pray for the children and for the success of the program.

But they say the joys far outweigh the challenges and are both rewarding and overwhelming. They have been invited to children's birthday parties and First Holy Communions. "We get far more than we give," muses Patti. "When we return to a school, the children run up and hug us. These are Good-Touches!"

Recently, the Laney couple attended a parish function. A young woman approached them to say, "I just had to meet you. Our children pray for you every night at dinner."

Thank you, Patti and Grant and all the Good-Touch/Bad Touch® facilitators, for your commitment to the safety of children.

To learn more about the Good-Touch/Bad-Touch® Program, visit www.goodtouchbadtouch.com.