Had to go through this a few times. Being someone who went through it several times when I was young (strangers, not parents), I could emphasize with their pain. I made some rrally close bonds with my abused kids. They knew I understood, and was there for them always. It was the happiest and saddest feeling knowing of all the adult figures in their life, some only trusted me and me alone.

One kid, we will name Cody was a trip. He was notorious for being the worse behaving kid ever at our camp. He had a horrible home life, which leads to bad behavior. It took several of us years for things finally to be took care off. One day, Cody was having a throwing and hitting fit. The sore directors and boss stood their and kept telling how much trouble he would be in, how they would call his parents (Because that'll obviously calm him down...), etc. I just went up, and hugged him. He started bawling and telling me about how his mom or dad never gave him hugs. The boss came over and told me I need to stop hugging him now. I told her to just hold on. I got a stern talking to and was almost written up. Later, the kid got took out of YMCA and his,dad was sent to jail. Last I heard was mom was changing and becoming loving.