At the beginning of April, Josiah White’s Family Services staff adds pinwheels to the grounds at each regional office to bring awareness about the prevention of child abuse in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month. They also distribute pinwheels and outdoor signs to local churches to help bring awareness.
The pinwheel became the national symbol for child abuse prevention in 2008 by Prevent Child Abuse America. The blue pinwheels placed around Josiah White’s Wabash campus and at Josiah White’s offices throughout the state serve as a physical reminder of the role every member of the community can play in honoring the inherent worth of all children by ensuring they have positive childhoods. We invite you to help prevent child abuse by being a faithful presence to the parents and children in your community.
Here’s a quick list of ways you can help:
- Share about Child Abuse Prevention with friends and family, either by word of mouth or through social media.
- Volunteer at a local school or library.
- Coach a local youth recreational team.
- Lead a parent support group.
- Become a foster parent.
“Please be a voice for the children in your life path. If you think, feel, or see neglect or abuse, call DCS and report to the hotline,” said Denise Walter, Josiah White’s Intake Coordinator. “Just having someone make a report does not make you a bad person; it could be saving a life!”
You can call the DCS Hotline at any time at 1-800-800-5556. For more information on Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit https://preventchildabuse.org/growing-better-together-2022/.