Community Unites to Protect Children During Child Abuse Prevention Month

As April approaches, Madison County is gearing up to “Paint the Town Blue” in solidarity with Child Abuse Awareness Month. Joining forces with organizations statewide and nationwide, Kentucky River Foothills’ Community Collaboration for Children (CCC) Program and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are spearheading efforts to shed light on preventing child abuse and neglect, rallying the community to take proactive measures and foster a safer environment for our children.

In an effort to raise awareness about child protection, organizers are reaching out to individuals, organizations, and businesses willing to display blue ribbons, pinwheels, and yard signs across the community. These symbolic displays signify our collective commitment to safeguarding our children.

Suzanne Lee, one of the event organizers, emphasized the crucial role of community solidarity, stating, “Now more than ever, our families need us – organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, communities, neighborhoods, faith-based groups, and individuals – to join together. When we support families, we foster a stronger, more resilient community, ensuring children grow up happy, healthy, and safe.” Victoria Benge, another event organizer, added, “Awareness leads to prevention, enabling us to keep families together!”

Businesses, schools, agencies, and community partners are joining hands to support prevention efforts through various impactful initiatives:

Pinwheel Garden Planting: Community members are invited to participate in pinwheel garden plantings on April 4th, at 10 AM in front of the Hall of Justice (351 W Main Street, Richmond), and at 2 PM at Berea City Hall (212 Chestnut Street, Berea).

Special Proclamation Readings: Proclamations will be read at the Berea City Council meeting on April 2, 2024, at 6:30 PM (304 Chestnut Street, Berea), at the Madison Fiscal Court meeting on April 9, 2024, at 9:30 AM at the Berea location (304 Chestnut Street, Berea), and at the Richmond City Commission meeting on April 9, 2024, at 6:00 PM (239 W Main Street, Richmond).

Wear Blue Day: On Friday, April 5th, community members are encouraged to wear blue attire to show their solidarity against child abuse.

Blue Ribbons: Downtown businesses are encouraged to adorn their doors with blue ribbons symbolizing their commitment to protecting children.

Yard Signs: Community partners are invited to proudly display yard signs bearing prevention messages, spreading awareness throughout neighborhoods.

Prevention Materials: Businesses with open lobby spaces can request prevention materials for display to educate the public about recognizing signs of abuse and methods for prevention.

Prevention Trainings: Community members are encouraged to participate in prevention trainings to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and report abuse.

Blue Sunday: On Sunday, April 28th, local churches are invited to dedicate prayers for children in need and provide support and comfort to those impacted by abuse.

Additionally, parents are encouraged to engage with their children in fun, crafty, and outdoor activities every Saturday.

For those eager to participate, blue ribbons for doors can be purchased individually or by contacting Kerri Hensley at [email protected]. Yard signs and pinwheels can be requested and delivered by contacting Suzanne Lee at [email protected].

###

About Kentucky River Foothills: Kentucky River Foothills believes in fostering communities where all individuals can live with dignity, responsibility, and opportunity. The agency offers a variety of services to promote stability and independence throughout the life cycle.

About Court Appointed Special Advocates: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Madison and Clark Counties is a local nonprofit agency that trains and supervises dedicated community volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers ensure the children’s best interests are heard and prioritized, providing them with a consistent adult presence in their lives.