Douglas Community Services to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month at Tuesday event

HANNIBAL, Mo. — At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, employees of Douglass Community Services will display blue pinwheels of hope in recognition of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The public is invited to join the ceremony at the Marion County Courthouse, 906 Broadway.

This month and throughout the year, Douglass Community Services encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making northeast Missouri a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, communities can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth and families in our communities.

Cheyenne Martin, lead volunteer coordinator of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), said in a press release, “Children deserve a chance to feel safe, to be happy, to smile without faking it. They deserve to sleep at night without worrying about what tomorrow will bring. April is a time for our community to celebrate their role in protecting children.”

Persons wanting to volunteer with the CASA program and support youth in the foster care system should contact Martin at 573-221-3892.

Serving northeast Missouri, Douglass Community Services helps build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.