Building A Hopeful Future, Together

Pinwheels-CAP-2024

April is National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, a time when Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America, Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia and Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Cherokee connect with families, communities, prevention advocates, and supporters to focus on the creation of an ecosystem of primary prevention in our community and emphasize the importance of building a narrative of hope for the future of children and families. The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign, locally led by Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, in alignment with PCA America’s national chapter network, is “Building A Hopeful Future, Together.”

Locally, community partners from across Cherokee County gathered in downtown Canton for the annual pinwheel planting. Pinwheels represent happy childhoods, our hope for all children in our community. We believe every child deserves to grow up feeling safe and loved. The Children’s Haven is thankful for partners who are doing great work in Cherokee County. We all have a role to play.

Children who live in families with access to economic and concrete support are less likely to experience abuse and neglect. And yet, too often our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone. This simply isn’t true. Community support and partnerships can help lighten the burden on families and strengthen communities from the ground up. “Every family and child should have the access and support to live purposeful lives with hope for the future,” said PCA Georgia Executive Director Jennifer Stein. “In April, during CAP Month, we recognize the dedicated and passionate prevention teams, programs, partners working year-round to create awareness about the public health issue of abuse and neglect.” Prevent Child Abuse America, in close partnership with its nationwide chapter network including PCA Georgia and PCA Cherokee, supports the expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs and family resource centers to help families cope with trauma and stressors like the loss of employment, loss of income due to lack of paid leave, school and business closings, ongoing health concerns, uncertain child care and homeschool arrangements, food insecurity, and more.

This month, and all year long, you can help PCA Georgia and PCA Cherokee advance family-centered prevention programs and policies by taking action in the following ways:

  • Follow PCA Georgia and The Children’s Haven on social media and share our posts throughout April. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Use the hashtags #BuildingTogether, #PreventionInPartnership, and #CAPMonth to signify your commitment to helping children, families, and entire communities to thrive.
  • You can show support for promoting positive childhood experiences and preventing adversity by
    wearing blue on April 5 for #WearBlueDay to kick off CAP Month with momentum. Post a photo or
    video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2024 hashtag.
  • Plant a virtual pinwheel – a visual reminder of the world we want for all children to grow up happy,
    healthy, and prepared to succeed.