Community Health employees pose near the pinwheel garden at CHCRR’s pediatric office in Rutland. Pictured: (kneeling) Sara Graham, (left-right) Carolyn Wos, Marissa Benson, Chelsea Blanchard, and Mary Ann Bronson.
Pinwheel gardens are sprouting up this month to bring awareness to child abuse and how healthy relationships within families, schools and communities can work to eliminate child abuse and neglect. Community Health is among local organizations participating in the awareness campaign.
“Child abuse awareness is as important as ever during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Jill Jesso-White, Community Health director of communications and development, April 13. “Our pinwheel gardens show our support for organizations like Prevent Child Abuse Vermont that collaborate with hundreds of groups around the state to provide support and education to families.”
In Vermont and around the country, organizations take part in this awareness effort each April as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues its research and programs that focus on understanding child abuse and how to prevent it before it begins.
The CDC defines child abuse as “children under the age of 18 exposed to physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect by a parent, caregiver, or another person such as a coach, teacher or clergy member.”
“Children should know what it’s like to grow up in a safe and supportive environment,” said Jesso-White.
For more information about Prevent Child Abuse Vermont visit: pcavt.org.
