It’s time for ‘pinwheel planting’
A Caring Place kicks off National Child Abuse Prevention Month
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WINTERSVILLE -- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and that's an important time for A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center, whose mission is to be a leading advocate in the healing and prevention of child abuse.
The observance offers opportunities to raise awareness that child abuse is still happening, according to Amy Lingerfelt, director and advocate of A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center located at 705 Canton Road, Wintersville.
One annual reminder of that involves "pinwheel planting" at the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Steubenville, an event planned for Tuesday beginning at 10:30 a.m.
"Local school children will join us to plant pinwheels outside the courthouse, then Judge Michelle Miller will invite the kids into her courtroom for a question-and-answer session," Lingerfelt explained. It also will be occasion for Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. to offer remarks and for the presentation of a proclamation from the Jefferson County commissioners and resolutions from Steubenville City Council and Wintersville Village Council.
Lingerfelt anticipates second-graders from Pugliese West Elementary School in Steubenville and John Gregg Elementary School in Bergholz will be participating.
"We also will be distributing pinwheels to local schools and businesses who are willing to stand up for kids in order to raise awareness," she added.
Another activity this month will be "Sundaes with the Sheriff," on April 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Crossroads Ministry Center, located at 200 Kragel Road, Wintersville.
"We will be celebrating everything that childhood should be with an ice cream sundae bar, inflatables and games," Lingerfelt said of the free event open to the public.
"The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention because it represents the carefree childhood all kids deserve, and that is kind of the theme of this event," she said. "We want the kids to just have tons of fun and see these local professionals in a positive environment."
Local professionals that A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center works with -- law enforcement, children's services and mental health, for example -- will be invited to the event as well.
Another local facet of National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a coloring and art contest with all the local schools. "The sheriff and his staff will be our guest judges, and winners will receive prizes. Our art prompt this year is focused on courage," Lingerfelt said.
"Our coloring page artwork was designed by local artist Elizabeth 'Ace' Vagalia. Older students will be asked to illustrate what courage means to them. We hope this encourages the students to express themselves through art in a meaningful way and raises awareness of A Caring Place and our mission to be a leading advocate in the healing and prevention of child abuse," she continued.
A Caring Place was founded in 2000 by a group of local professionals who saw firsthand how the investigative process was further traumatizing child victims, according to Lingerfelt. "ACP provides compassionate advocacy to child victims of physical and sexual abuse, prevention education, community awareness, training for local professionals and the coordination of a multidisciplinary team response to all instances of child maltreatment in Jefferson County. All of our services are provided at no cost, and we are available 24/7," Lingerfelt explained.
"We don't have a new theme each year, but with our pinwheels we will distribute yard signs that say 'We stand up for kids!' so that is probably the closest thing I can think of to a theme. Anyone who wants to display pinwheels to show their commitment to ending child abuse can call us. We'd love to see our county covered in this reminder that kids deserve a childhood free of abuse."
The center's phone number is (740) 266-3988.
"It's important to recognize that child abuse is still happening in Jefferson County," Lingerfelt commented. "A Caring Place has seen a steady increase in the number of cases over the last three years. Participating in National Child Abuse Prevention Month tells those around us that we will not let the children in our lives be harmed, and we will not be silent when abuse happens. It lets the kids in your life know that they are worth protecting and that they don't have to keep quiet if someone hurts them. Starting conversations about this topic breaks through the stigma victims face and makes a safer community for us all. Abuse thrives in silence, so let's get loud," she added.
Lingerfelt encourages "every single adult in Jefferson County" to do something about child abuse. "Individuals can join the cause monetarily by making a tax-deductible donation to A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so that we can continue directly serving children who have endured abuse and educating Jefferson County on how to prevent and respond to child abuse," she said.
"A Caring Place offers a few different curriculums designed to educate and empower in efforts to prevent abuse in the first place as well as what to do when someone encounters it. We offer these at no cost, and we are happy to travel to anyone who wants to learn," she added.