LANSING, Ill. (March 23, 2024) – The Lansing Human Relations Commission (HRC) invites the public and anyone interested in the welfare of children to attend its third annual Prevent Child Abuse Month kickoff event, scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the Patti Leach Youth Center, 18123 Burnham Avenue.
The theme of this free event is “Building Together: Prevention in Partnership.”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a national recognition of the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
“We as Lansing Human Relations commissioners care about the lives of Lansing residents,” said Valerie McDaniels, Lansing HRC chairperson. “This especially includes the children of our village. They deserve to live free from abuse and neglect in their own homes.”
“We want to bring awareness to child abuse to the adults and caregivers, that there are other ways to discipline your children that will bring about a more positive childhood experience,” she added.
Featured speakers for the event will include Belinda Farr, prevention specialist, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois; Ashley Frederick, survivor director, SAFECHR T.H.R.I.V.E. Program, Indiana; Monica Czajkowski, LPC, supervisor of training and MDT Services, La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center; Denise Jones-Williams, M.A., LPC, marriage and family therapist, New Leaf Resources; Karen Abbott-Trimuel, creator-consultant-coach, KGT Live Productions, LLC & WAR; Dr. Ruby E. Powell, executive director, Oasis Empowerment Zone, Inc.; Lansing Chief of Police Al Phillips; and Anna Calix, MPH, founder and director of Gifts from Liam.
“I appreciate our HRC organizing the third annual Lansing event for Prevent Child Abuse Month,” said Lansing Mayor Patricia L. Eidam. “Our HRC Chairman, Valerie McDaniels, has valuable experience, background, and knowledge on this difficult topic. I am grateful that she is teaching us to talk about it and to be advocates for the children of our village.”
Attendees can participate in the MANicure Movement Blue Nail Painting Event. For a $5 charitable donation, they can get one fingernail painted blue to symbolize the statistic that one in five children in the United States will be abused before the age of 18. Donations will benefit the Patti Leach Youth Center.
Additional public parking is located down the alley east of the youth center on Roy Street, across from the U.S. Post Office.
At noon, participants are invited to “plant” blue pinwheels at the Village of Lansing Municipal Center, 3141 Ridge Road. Blue pinwheels symbolize the community’s commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Three Lansing businesses are supporting the village’s Child Abuse Prevention Month. Gus Bock’s Ace Hardware will donate blue lightbulbs that will be available free to Lansing residents, one per household, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Lansing Municipal Center.
Residents can use the bulbs to replace one of their outdoor lights to “light the way against child abuse.”
Gus Bock’s Ace Hardware, 3455 Ridge Road, will have additional blue bulbs available for 99 cents plus tax.
In addition, Calumet Bakery, 18349 Torrence Avenue, and Kdulche Café, 3521 Ridge Road, are supporting the month with blue decorated pastries for patrons to purchase.
To report child abuse in Illinois, call 1-800-25ABUSE.
Related
- ‘It’s an adult responsibility to keep kids safe from abuse’ says expert at Lansing HRC event (April 5, 2023)
