More Than a Color: A Month of Action, Awareness, and Hope

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month — and here at Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center, it is one of the most meaningful months of the year. It is a time when our community comes together to say, loudly and clearly: every child deserves to be safe, to be heard, and to thrive. It is a time when awareness becomes action, and when a simple color — blue — becomes a powerful symbol of something far greater than fashion.

You may notice blue pinwheels in our community, blue ribbons on lapels, and a growing number of people wearing blue on Wednesdays throughout April. This is not just a trend. When you wear blue, you are making a statement — a statement of solidarity with the children who have experienced abuse, a statement of commitment to doing better and building safer communities, and a statement of justice for the smallest, most vulnerable victims among us. Every child who walks through our doors has a story. Wearing blue says: we see you, we believe you, and we are here.

At Kindred Kids, we do not simply raise awareness — we take action. Our forensic interview program ensures that when a child discloses abuse, their voice is heard in a safe, trauma-informed environment by trained professionals. Our Victim Rights Act (VRA) advocacy services walk beside families through one of the most difficult journeys of their lives, ensuring they understand their rights and are supported at every step. And through our broader CAC services, we wrap children and families in the community resources they need to begin healing. Because of these programs, children are not only heard — they are beginning to thrive. And because of the work we do every single day, our communities are becoming healthier, more protective, and more resilient.

Research consistently shows that communities that talk openly about child abuse — that educate parents, empower children, and hold abusers accountable — are communities where children are safer. When we break the silence, we break the cycle. When a parent knows the warning signs, they can act. When a child learns they have the right to say "no" and the right to tell a trusted adult, disclosure becomes possible. Awareness is not passive. Awareness saves lives.

This April, Kindred Kids is honored to be participating in several community events throughout our service area. These events are opportunities for our team to connect with families, educate the public, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the partners who make our work possible. Whether you see us at a resource fair, a candlelight vigil, or a community walk, we invite you to stop by, say hello, and learn more about how you can be a part of protecting children in our community. Every conversation matters. Every connection counts.

Our programs are made possible through a combination of grant funding and the generous support of donors like you. While grants provide a critical foundation, they do not cover everything. Your donations directly fund our advocacy program expenses — the costs of serving families beyond what grant restrictions allow. Every dollar you contribute ensures that no family is ever turned away, that no child ever hears the word "no" when they need our help most. Our services are always free to the families we serve, and that is only possible because of you.

This April, I invite you to wear blue on Wednesdays. To attend a community event. To share our mission with a neighbor, a coworker, a friend. And if you are able, to make a gift that keeps Kindred Kids strong for every child who needs us.

Together, we are building a community where every child is safe, every family is supported, and every voice is heard.

With deep gratitude and purpose,

Lori Jenkins, MPA

Executive Director/Forensic Interviewer