Take Part in National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Take Part in National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and ICAN always recognizes this important cause, as it is threaded into the work our team does as we support over 1,500 individuals every single day.
In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention through Pinwheels for Prevention® – a nationwide campaign created by their organization and its state chapters. Its goal is to engage people in taking “extraordinary ordinary” actions that can reduce stress for families and increase resilience for kids—anything from writing a letter to the editor in support of family support programs to offering to babysit for a neighbor.
The pinwheel symbolizes happy childhoods and bright futures that all children deserve and it’s a way for you to show your support for healthy development of our nation’s children. Studies have shown that children who are raised in supportive and stable environments are more academically and financially successful. Child maltreatment damages the developing brain and can lead to learning and behavioral issues where protective factors can build resiliency and strengthen children, families and whole communities.
HELP US MAKE A VIRTUAL PINWHEEL GARDEN
Since we cannot physically gather together to plant a pinwheel garden this month, we are going to grow one virtually! We are encouraging everyone to make one, two, or a whole garden of pinwheels and submit a photo to us through Facebook or email it to Brandi Candido by this Friday, April 17th. We will compile all of the submitted photos into a virtual garden. Even if we can't be together, let's stand together!
MAKE YOUR OWN PINWHEEL AT HOME
Sandra Lampasona, our Healthy Families Oneida County Program Manager, created a video that shows you how to make your own pinwheel at home. It’s easy and family members of all ages can join in.
ICAN UNITES!
At our April virtual staff meeting, our team wore blue to support Child Abuse Prevention month and to show that even though we are apart, we still stand together. If you, your family or your workplace take part in any efforts this month, use the hashtags #goblue4nykids #preventchildabuseny #pinwheelsforprevention or #greatchildhoods.
JOIN US FOR A SHOWING OF BROKEN PLACES
Our Child Abuse Awareness Month event will also go virtual this year. Following up to a very well attending showing of “Resilience” last year at Herkimer College, ICAN and Healthy Families Herkimer County will be showing “Broken Places” this year on Monday, April 27, 2020 starting at 9:00am on Zoom. Please register here for free to attend the showing.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
The documentary Broken Places poses the complex question of why some children are permanently damaged by early adversity while others are able to thrive. To help answer this question, 40 years of film archives were used to update stories of children growing up in difficult circumstances that were filmed decades ago. Some of these children were so scarred by abuse and neglect that they are now in mental institutions, correctional facilities, or drug rehabilitation centers. However, there are others who managed to overcome comparable childhood stress and are now healthy, self-sufficient adults. Viewers are given a unique time-lapse perspective that spans decades,witnessing how a few of these troubled children.