From our School Social Worker, Leah Sorensen:
(Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)
Child Abuses Prevention Month – Why Blue Pinwheels?
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and our local Child Advocacy Center (CAC) together with Chemung County Children and Family Services are providing blue pinwheels to local organizations to help promote awareness. You will see these pinwheels inside the lobby here at Diven Elementary School. The short rationale behind the pinwheels is that the pinwheel is a symbol of fun and carefree times. It represents the right that every child has to a safe and carefree childhood; a childhood safe from abuse and neglect.
Information about the Pinwheels from Prevent Child Abuse New York (PCANY):
Pinwheels for Prevention® is a nationwide campaign, created by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) and its state chapters. The goal of Pinwheels of Prevention® 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.
As part of these campaigns, New Yorkers make a promise to prevention by distributing pinwheels, “planting” pinwheel gardens, and hosting educational events. The campaign is built around the symbol of the pinwheel. The pinwheel is a happy and uplifting token of childhood. It stands as a symbol of hope and the bright futures we want for New York’s kids. Pinwheels for Prevention® are the centerpiece of a growing movement of people and organizations committed to stopping child abuse before it starts.
A great childhood requires a loving and supportive family and community. The theme of this year’s campaign, It’s Your Turn to Make a Difference, highlights simple steps we can take every day to create positive change for families and communities. You can get involved by planting pinwheel gardens in a highly visible public place, wearing pinwheel label pins, displaying car and storefront window clings, hosting events for families, and signing a promise to prevention. Businesses, schools, community-based organizations, civic groups, educators, volunteers, decision-makers and families participate.
Everyone has a role to play in preventing child abuse and supporting families. PCANY offers you tools to take an active role in preventing child abuse. Please contact us to learn more about how to mobilize a campaign in your community. It’s your turn to make a difference for a child!
https://www.preventchildabuseny.org/news-and-events/pinwheels-prevention