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Child Abuse Prevention Month
Darby Chaffin
CAC & CAN Program Director
As you’re driving around town this month, you may see shiny blue pinwheel gardens and wonder to yourself why they’re there. In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, I’d like to share the significance of the Blue Pinwheel and what the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign is all about. This initiative was introduced in 2008 by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA). Pinwheels represent childlike, whimsy, and lightheartedness; and a vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities. Research shows that when children grow up with these supports in place, they are more academically and financially successful and grow up to be productive, contributing members of their communities. Pinwheels are a reminder that we all play part of this role in children’s lives.** If you are interested in having your own pinwheel garden at your home or business, please contact our office!
This campaign is very near and dear to us here at Child Advocacy, and we are proud to present a robust menu of community offerings in the areas of awareness, education, and activities that support connection between children and the adults in their lives.
Opportunities to Learn
Join us as we kick off Prevention Month on Thursday, April 3rd as we learn about cyber safety at our Lunch and Learn with Alisha Meneely. Immediately following the Lunch and Learn at 1:00, we will head outside to plant our very own pinwheel garden. Please join us as we come together to show our commitment to children in our community and in our lives on this very important day. Be sure to wear blue!
We will feature a presentation on puberty featuring Dr Janelle Blazek (Alma College) on April 22nd at 7:00 pm at Child Advocacy.
On April 23rd, we will provide an opportunity to participate in Darkness to Light’s flagship training, Stewards of Children®.
On April 25th our Breastfeeding Coalition will host a hybrid meeting in the training room at Child Advocacy at 4:30 pm and on Zoom to learn safe baby-wearing techniques. Attendees will have an opportunity to enter a drawing for a FREE baby wrap!
On April 28th at 8pm, our Substance and Suicide Prevention Program at Child Advocacy will hold a training for parents and caregivers titled Signs of Suicide for Parents/Caregivers: Helping Youth A.C.T.
This is just a small sampling of the opportunities to learn how to help prevent child abuse and neglect – we offer many other services that include parenting classes, mandated reporter training, Parent Cafés, code of conduct training for youth serving organizations, the Court Appointed Special Advocate program, as well as opportunities to join coalition work with our Gratiot County Substance and Suicide Prevention Coalition and our Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition. Be sure to check our website for upcoming classes and meeting dates, or feel free to email me at darby@childadvocacy.net .
Opportunities for Fun and Connection
We are excited to share that we will be visiting local libraries again this year for story hour. Our prevention educator in the public schools, Mrs. Richelle Davis, will be reading age appropriate books to teach our youngest citizens about body safety, as well as providing materials for a fun craft after story time. Join her as she visits TA Cutler Memorial Library on April 10th at 10:30 am, Thompson Home Public Library on April 17th at 10:15 am, and Alma Public Library on two dates: April 22nd at 10:00 am and April 25th at 1:30 pm.
Our partner in mental health and prevention, ZENlightenment Wellness Center, will be providing a donation-based adult/child yoga class here at Child Advocacy on April 11th at 5 pm.
Opportunities to Support the Prevention Mission
See below for dates that local businesses will be generously donating a portion of their sales back to prevention efforts at Child Advocacy.
April 1st – 3rd: Arby’s (5-8 pm on all three days)
April 4th: Braveheart Pub (All day)
April 8th: Blue Shamrock (All day)
April 17th: Pizza One (All day)
April 25th: Mancino’s (All day)
In addition to our dining partners, the United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties have generously given the community an opportunity to DOUBLE all donation dollars (up to $10,000!!) throughout the whole month of April. If you have considered giving even a small amount to Child Advocacy, April is a fantastic time to do so. We have multiple ways to give: Text CAGC to 41444, visit our donation page or scan the QR code below, or write a check directly to United Way with Child Advocacy in the memo line!
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