Inspired Interview: Ross Ellis

Ross Ellis grew up with an abusive father who constantly told her that she would never amount to anything. She knew he was wrong and told herself everyday that she would be successful.

Surviving a difficult childhood, she left home to go to school in New York. After a successful career in advertising, P.R. Corporate Affairs, and owning several successful businesses, Ross wanted to do something more. Even with her many achievements, she still felt an urgency to help children. She volunteered for a child abuse prevention organization and subsequently became their Resource Development Director. But she realized there was a more critical need to protect America’s children. In
1999, Ross founded and is the Chief Executive Officer of Love Our Children USA, the national non-profit leader dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence against children.

Under Ross’ direction and vision, Love Our Children USA redefines parenting by generating safety and nurturing, and promotes positive changes in parenting and family attitudes, behaviors, and prevention strategies through public education campaigns. It works to empower and support children, parents, families and communities through information, resources and advocacy.

Having paved the way, it has become the ‘go-to’ prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S. Different from other child abuse prevention groups it fills a critical gap in violence prevention resources, concentrated parenting education, and public information on child protection – filling a critical need and urgency. Its primary programs include: Public Education, Community Outreach and Awareness, Positive Parenting Education, Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Internet Safety.

Each year, they assist parents in developing safe parenting practices, answer over 3,000 calls related to violence against children, and assist over 200 children in finding services, resources and assistances. Ellis recently was responsible for getting a child abuse case re-opened for a 5 year-old, was instrumental in saving five teenage girls from suicide and reported several online predators.

In 2003 and 2008, Love Our Children USA was honored by NASDAQ for their work. In 2004, Ellis created National Love Our Children Day which is celebrated across the U.S. to honor children, strengthen families and raise awareness for efforts to protect children. The day is supported annually by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and acknowledges the value of children.

Ross strongly believes that by giving children the three essential elements which are love, protection and respect, we give them the confidence they need to become strong and fit adults. And by reinforcing values of treating children with kindness and respect, nurturing their development, maintaining their self-esteem, creating a safe, non-violent world in which they can live, and reinforcing loving, healthy families, we can give all children a healthy start and stop violence against children BEFORE it starts.