National Child Abuse Prevention Month - Local Initiatives

In conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, local Children's Advocacy Centers and teams of concerned individuals are conducting innovative and engaging initiatives across the country. Below are a sampling of efforts shared by National Children's Alliance members.

For more information on what's happening in your community, contact your local Children's Advocacy Center (a directory of Centers can be found here).

Please contact Cori Plotkin at coriplotkin@me.com or 303.887.4298 to inform NCA of what your organization is doing in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month..

Washington, D.C. – Safe Shores is presenting free Community Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainings on Saturday April 16 and Tuesday April 19. The trainings are co-sponsored along with Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander & DCPS Parent & Family Resource Center as well as Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser. In addition, Safe Shores will be hosting a networking event on April 20 (A Touch of Blue II: A Networking Event to Recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month) as well as a Community Open House on April 28 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their new location. www.safeshores.org

Jonesboro, AR – Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center is hosting a number of events and conducting numerous awareness raising efforts during the month of April in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Included are: a multi-faceted public awareness campaign that includes a traditional and outdoor advertising as well as public service announcements; a pinwheel “garden” with 417 pinwheels placed around the Craighead County Courthouse; awards ceremonies honoring child advocates, donors and volunteers; and the 2011 ‘Strike Out Child Abuse’ Bowling Tournament. www.neacac.net

Denver, CO – SungateKids is once again commemorating National Child Abuse Prevention by hosting its annual Bowl-a-thon on April 10. In addition, SungateKids, in conjunction with a number of other advocacy-oriented organizations that are all members of a local group called The Collaborative, is co-hosting a training titled ‘What is Court?” to assist those with developmental disabilities in navigating the court system. Also included on the organization’s calendar for the month of April is participation and support of a special event sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office recognizing Prosecutor’s for their efforts on behalf of victims. www.sungatekids.org

Glenwood Springs, CO – Childhelp River Bridge is hosting a special seminar on two different days in April for parents and the general public on how to protect children from cyber predation. The seminar, titled Internet and Cell Phone Safety: You need to be in control, offers answers and tools for keeping your children safe from sex offenders who use the internet and cell phones as an outlet for targeting children. Mike and Cassandra Harris of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will be the presenters of the seminar; both Mike and Cassandra are considered experts in the field of online safety and have been featured on numerous national television shows. www.childhelp.org

North Platte, NE - In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center in North Platte, Nebraska is conducting its first "Wish Away Child Abuse" Campaign. The centerpiece of this campaign is a large water fountain set up at the local mall specifically for this effort. Surrounding the fountain are signs with information about the campaign as well as child abuse statistics. The community is encouraged to make a wish to end child abuse by donating change in the fountain or at donation boxes placed at 100 local businesses. Supporters, local law enforcement, and businesses are also selling campaign wristbands helping to promote the campaign’s message: "Although we know a simple wish can not eliminate child abuse, we know together we can help to make a child's wish for safety, security and protection come true. Because it takes a community to protect a child.” Information about this campaign has been promoted in the local media through newspaper, television and radio coverage. More information can be found online at www.bridge-of-hope-cac.org and on the Bridge of Hope Facebook page www.facebook.com/BridgeofHopeChildAdvocacyCenter.

Salt Lake City, UT – Salt Lake County Children’s Justice Center is celebrating National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a few different events and campaigns. Throughout the month of April, pinwheels and handmade butterflies will be on display both of the organization’s locations. In addition, the Sounds of Hope Concert will be held on April 9, featuring Utah’s most elite performers of classical music as well as a capoeira performance to demonstrate empowerment. Included in the day’s event will be a VIP Soiree and pre- and post-event parties for guests. On April 19, the Cops for Kids night at local-area Sizzler Restaurants will benefit the organization. www.cjcslc.org

Akron, OH – Akron Children’s Child Advocacy Center will be hosting its 16th annual Pinwheels for Prevention event on Wednesday March 30. 1,317 pinwheels will be placed on the lawn of Akron Children’s Hospital Beeghly campus – each pinwheel representing a child who received child abuse services in Mahoning County. The pinwheels also serve as a reminder to passersby that everyone has a part in preventing child abuse. The theme for this year’s annual event, which is a collaboration between the Child Advocacy Center and Mahoning County Children’s services, is Winds of Change: It’s your Turn to Raise the Leaders of Tomorrow. www.akronchildrens.org

Columbiana, AL – The 12th annual Blue Ribbon Ride for child abuse victims will be held on May 14. The fundraising event is an open motorcycle ride that is hosted by Owens House Shelby County Child Advocacy Center. The motorcycle ride will commence at Heart of Dixie Harley Davidson Dealership and following the ride participants will enjoy a special performance by the band Wait 5. All proceeds from the event will benefit child abuse victims who are receiving services through the Child Advocacy Center. www.owenshousecac.org

Summerville, SC – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month, Dorchester Children’s Center planted a pinwheel garden. The pinwheels are given to children who visit the center during the month of April. Each pinwheel that is planted in the garden is Blue and silver, which are the official colors of Child Abuse Prevention month. www.dorchesterChildren.org

Cleveland, TN – The Bradley County Satellite of the 10th Judicial Children’s Advocacy Center is honoring Child Abuse Prevention month by placing a tree with blue ribbons in the Bradley County Courthouse. Victims of child abuse and individuals who know someone affected by child abuse are encouraged to place ribbons on the tree. The ribbons serve as a reminder that those suffering from the repercussions of child abuse are not alone. There will also be a tree with blue ribbons placed on the Cleveland State Community College campus. www.thehopecenterinc.com

Scranton, PA - Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Pennsylvania will host it’s seventh annual Moonlight in May 5k and 10k Walk/Run and Children’s Fun Run on May 1. The annual event has grown tremendously over the years and is the largest fundraising event for the center. Before the run the crowd will be entertained with live music, raffles, activities for children and a hip hop dance warm-up for the walkers/runners. All proceeds from the event will benefit the children’s advocacy center. www.cacnepa.org

Fall River, MA - In support of Child Abuse Prevention month, On May 7 The Child Advocacy Center of Bristol County will be hosting its 2nd annual Kentucky Derby Day Gala. The fundraising event’s theme will be Race to End Child Abuse. In addition to raising money, the even hopes to create community awareness about the wide spread implications of child abuse.  www.cacofbc.org

Marietta, GA – SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center will commence Child Abuse Prevention month on April 1 with their annual Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Month Kick-off. The ceremony will celebrate the community’s commitment to preventing child abuse and will be the start of additional month long activities. Throughout the month SafePath will have a poster contest for elementary age children, Darkness to Light (D2L) child abuse prevention training, and a Blue Ribbon Partnership with Local Business which asks businesses to place a blue ribbon in their windows for the month. www.supportsafepath.com

Spokane, WA – Partners with Families and Children: Spokane will be one of the organizations that will recognize Child Abuse Prevention month during the 5th annual Our kids: Our business month long community initiative. The goal of the initiative is to ensure the wellness and safety of all children in the Spokane community. To kick-off the month there will be a brainstorming luncheon on the subject of How to Prevent Child Abuse Through a Community Effort. In support of the initiative, a website (ourkidsspokane.org) has been launched to serve as year around resource to families in the community. www.partnerswithfamilies.org

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