April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a Midland organization has several plans to raise awareness for the month.
The Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center has a few events planned late this month to recognize CAP Month. From a pinwheel planting event to a 5K, the center aims to promote prevention for protecting children from abuse.
Michelle Waskevich said the first event of the month will take place at noon on Monday, April 11 with the Pinwheels for Prevention Ceremony. The event will take place outside of the Midland County Courthouse and feature Midland City Police Chief Nicole Ford and have an announcement for their 2022 Midland County Champion for Children award winner. Pinwheels is a symbol of a carefree, whimsical life that every child deserves to have, she said.
At 6 p.m. on April 19, a presentation from Kevin Mahoney at the Bullock Creek Auditorium. He is a prosecutor and sexual abuse survivor that will talk about his experiences as a child and the grooming process, Waskevich said.
Finally, on April 30, the Superhero 5K Fun Run + Walk will take place both in person and virtually. There will be a superhero costume contest, prizes, and a superhero cartoonist, Waskevich said. Money raised at the event will go to Safe and Sound, she said.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m.
Waskevich also encourages people to wear blue for each Friday of the month to spread awareness of the month.
Safe and Sound, in terms of prevention, provides families with protective factors, such as presentations on body safety and empowerment. The center also offers adult training on sexual abuse prevention an Adopt a Child Smile program, which helps with preventative and restorative care.
Waskevich said this is month is important for the center because it helps highlight the issue of child abuse in Midland County.
“We know that child abuse can be prevented,” Waskevich said. “If we can help increase the protective factors in our all of our families, we can reduce and eliminate child abuse. The more that we can to highlight the prevention of child abuse and neglect, the healthier our community will be.”
