April is Child Abuse Awareness month in Hillsdale. The Hillsdale County Child Abuse and Prevention Awareness aims to raise awareness and prevent child abuse through various programs in the community. Recently, Executive Director Christie Campbell passed out 90 blue pinwheels at both the Hello Hillsdale Breakfast with the Hillsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Great Start Collaborative Meeting that works with community children.
“Prevent Child Abuse America started the Pinwheel Prevention Campaign and our Children’s Trust Fund here in Michigan jumped on board with them to continue it here in Michigan,” Campbell said. “I think the pinwheels are a great symbol for children.”
Sophomore Corey Voorman is involved in Hillsdale CAPA through the college’s SOAR program. He said that the blue on the pinwheels represented the bruises many children have sustained through mistreatment and abuse.
“The issue is unfortunately prevalent where there’s substance abuse,” Voorman said. “And we’re in rural America, so we’re going to have that.”
CAPA has several programs like the “Safe Sleep Campaign,” which gives 30 newborn packets to the Hillsdale Community Health Center for every child born. The packets include educational materials for parents about newborn sleep. There is also the “Baby Think It Over” program at the high schools that they hope will help students reconsider having a baby during their teen years.
“Approximately six million children in the United States are victims of abuse, and about 50 percent of abusive parents have children before the age of 20,” Voorman said. “Immaturity is a big issue when dealing with abusive parents.”
To keep the community updated, Campbell speaks once a month on the radio to share information about child abuse. She also speaks at various organizations such as Rotary Club or Kiwanis.
Sigma Chi Fraternity held its second annual “Pie a Sigma Chi” event during Child Abuse Awareness month. The Sigma Chis sold pinwheels for the Pinwheel Campaign and a chance to pie a Sigma Chi in the face. All profits from the charity event went to the Hillsdale CAPA.
“Fundraising is really important for us, because we are a small non-profit,” Voorman said. “Fostering an awareness of things is very important. Children are an essential part of the community. They are an investment — an investment that should be protected.”
atindall@hillsdale.edu
