Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2023 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@ Rally, pinwheels bring awareness to child abuse prevention LANSING, Mich. – Advocates for children held spinning blue and silver pinwheels today as Children Trust Michigan held the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally outside the State Capitol. About 250 people attended, planting the pinwheels in the ground following a ceremony where speakers talked about how communities around Michigan can prevent child abuse. The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. “Every child deserves to feel safe in their home, school and community,” said Michigan Department of Health and human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel, one of the speakers at the rally. “I’m so proud of our employees and the work they do to respond to concerns, and to connect families to the resources they need to be successful and create a safe, healthy and stable home environment for children. However, there is always more that can be done to strengthen families, strengthen communities and prevent abuse before it happens.” More than 15,000 child abuse and neglect cases were confirmed in Michigan last year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children Trust Michigan, housed within MDHHS, was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982. It serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. Suzanne Greenberg, executive director of Children Trust Michigan, served as emcee for the rally. “Child abuse prevention is an acknowledged community responsibility,” Greenberg said. “The theme of this 15th annual event is ‘Building Together: Prevention in Partnerships.’ This nationwide campaign under the leadership of Prevent Child Abuse America and here statewide through Children Trust Michigan serves as a visual reminder that we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect.”
Participants walk to plant pinwheels during the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally.
She said one way to build strong communities is by supporting family resource centers, which are places where all families are welcomed and receive access to support in their community. Families can get parenting support, access to resources, child development activities and parent leadership development. Other event speakers included Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Fatima Salman, president of the National Association of Social Workers. Children Trust Michigan honored the 2023 winners of the Inspire Award – Anne Flynn from the Help Me Grow Calhoun program and Mattie Morgan from The Children’s Center in Wayne County. Terry Loynes from the Child Center of Gratiot County and Erick Hamilton of Voices for Children of Genesee County shared parent stories. The Dwight Rich School of the Arts Beginner Band from the Lansing School District provided entertainment.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel speaks at the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally as Suzanne Greenberg, executive director of the Children Trust Michigan, looks on.
For information on Children Trust Michigan and Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit childrentrustmichigan.org. Today’s rally is one of two major Children’s Trust Fund events in April and May. The annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event is May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Breslin Center on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing to raise money to support child abuse prevention programming. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to support the Children’s Trust Fund, visit www.michigan.gov/ctf. |
Rally, pinwheels bring awareness to child abuse prevention
