About Us

Legacy 4 Kids Foundation is committed to equip families of children and teens to navigate the challenges common to our ever-changing modern world, to prevent unplanned pregnancy, and to enhance communication between parents and children. Our goal is to help you communicate your values to your children/teens and to help safeguard them regarding sexuality, promiscuity, violence, self-esteem and internet safety, to name just a few.

Our Philosophy at Legacy 4 Kids is that your family is unique. Our services and programs are based on your families’ needs and created with your input, yet grounded in sound research and delivered by accomplished and experienced staff.

Mission Statement: Our mission is to increase the awareness of the risks children face today including promiscuity, unplanned pregnancy, sexual assault, domestic violence, self esteem, depression, bullying, internet safety and more. We provide teleseminars, workshops and parent coaching to develop a toolbox of options, solutions and communication skills to lead our children to a life of love, honor, courage and grace.

Vision: Is for every child to be wanted and raised in a family that prepares them to navigate our ever changing world.

Primary Services: Counseling services and referrals for both parents and teens facing unplanned pregnancies and/or teen crisis.

Leadership Team

Founder – Kelly Marquet-Bodio, CDVC

When Kelly tells a client she ‘knows’ what they are going through, she means she has actually gone through it herself.

“I was a pregnant teen and a teen parent,” Kelly tells a new client. “I understand your fear.”

She also knows firsthand what it is like to have to raise your own grandchild. Kelly gained custody of her granddaughter when the mother became unable to provide a stable life for her daughter and asked her family to step in. “It was not an easy choice for her,” reflects Kelly, “but I truly respect her decision to consider the child first.”

“I have experienced the blessings as well as the challenges that come with all of it,” she often tells parents. “I have had to make the same hard choices and decisions that you will have to make. That’s why I am committed to helping you on what is going to be a very transformative journey”.

More than just personal experience, she has the knowledge, training and ability to help young women and their families handle the crisis they are facing.

Kelly Marquet-Bodio often plays the role of counselor, coach, and advocate. She is a Career Counselor, NLP Master Practitioner and Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CDVC). At any point in time she is working with a number of young women, counseling them in regard to their careers, coaching them on life challenges, and advocating for pregnant teens as they try to make smart choices.

When a Child Becomes a Parent

Kelly’s desire for each newborn to be wanted runs deep: 18 years younger than her closest sibling, she knows what it’s like to come into the world as an afterthought.

“My parents were completely ‘checked out’ when it came to raising me,” Kelly recounts, “and I ended up making some pretty dumb choices as a teenager.”

Eager for approval, she found herself pregnant at 15 but in no frame of mind to give birth and become a parent. “Had I fully understood the alternatives, I might have chosen differently, but I opted for an abortion. Raising a child at that time would have been a disaster for everyone, especially the newborn.”

Then came another ‘opportunity’ to prove herself as a mother, and Kelly met the challenge with an adult mindset. “I was determined not to repeat the mistakes of my parents and to be a decent mom. So I gave birth at 18 and married the father.”

Yet by 21 the relationship had ended and Kelly found herself on her own as a single parent.

“Thankfully I had a very strong work ethic to meet our material needs,” Kelly recalls, “but it was a hard lesson on how tough it is to be a parent without the support of others. Trying to be strong and handle everything on your own – it’s not in the best interest of a young child. It really does take a group effort.”

The Myth of Self Image Over Self Esteem

Working as a model, in fashion and also high-end retail, Kelly was also an award winning sales director and trainer in the health, beauty and wellness industries. She eventually launched her own successful talent agency.

“What I learned is that too many women buy in to the notion that their worth depends on image. Healthy self-esteem is a pretty rare commodity out there, and we see that reflected in the decisions young women make today.”

Unfortunately when it results in unwanted pregnancy, another life bears the impact.

“It’s at that point that I want to make sure the mother has someone on her side, someone who can help her think carefully before reacting.”

A Time for Straight Talk

“The biggest enemy when facing an unwanted pregnancy is denial,” states Kelly. “The clock is ticking and the longer you wait the more narrow your options. Not to mention the need for nutrition and prenatal care.”

That’s why Kelly is determined to break through communication barriers.

“It’s more about listening, but there does come a time for some sober straight talk. You can absolutely have the life you want, but you have to be willing to get out of your own way and do what it takes. My aim is to focus everyone on their intention, commitment and follow-through.”

For many clients, the crisis creates a positive shift in their outlook and they start taking life more seriously.

“This is the biggest chance most people will ever have to start demonstrating love, honor, strength and courage,” Kelly nods knowingly. “I’m here to help everyone involved step up and be proud of how they handle their end of it.”

Experience and Training

• Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CDVC) – Napa Emergency Women’s Services
• Certified Master NLP Practitioner– Steve G.Jones, Tad James Co.
• Adoption Counselor – National Council For Adoption
• Career Transformation Network, Founder – personal brand management and career coaching.
• The SAGE Foundation – served on the Board of Directors for this non-profit organization that presented seminars to empower women in transition and help teenage girls develop self-esteem and personal direction.
• Sirens – served on the board for this organization in Northern California dedicated to mentoring teens at risk.
• Napa Emergency Women’s Services (NEWS) Kelly is an advocate for this organization in Napa County exclusively dedicated to providing critical emergency assistance to battered women and their children. NEWS protects our community’s most vulnerable women and children by providing essential services and life-protecting confidential sanctuary from the terrifying violence that rips through their lives.

Speaking

A dynamic consultant, speaker and trainer, Kelly delivers unending value to her audiences. Since 1995 she has led inspirational and educational trainings and workshops for young women. Contact Kelly directly to inquire about her availability.

Elle Victoria-Vasquez

, Family Counselor brings an intuitive and powerful counseling manner that has helped many families in crisis situations become empowered directors of their own lives. With over twenty years of professional experience helping individuals and groups solve their problems, she has had extensive counseling experience with poverty stressors, teen suicide, domestic violence, “cutting,” divorce, hyper-sexuality, and trauma in both adults and children.

Elle is committed to the promotion of education and volunteerism, and to helping children grow up safe and healthy. As an organizational consultant and social worker, her experience with numerous social service providers in the United States has given her an unparalleled depth of experience with people from diverse cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. This has helped her understand and respect unique family dynamics and work with those beliefs, not against them.

Elle is trained and educated in social psychology with an emphasis on poverty law as an undergraduate. She is currently completing her Masters in Social Work and is training in clinical psychotherapy as a part of her advanced practicum at a regional community mental health clinic. Elle expects to receive her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and licensure in May 2012.