CASA of South east Mississippi recognizes April as Child Abuse Awareness month. Read about our efforts to raise awareness for abused and neglected children in Jackson, George and Greene Counties.
National Child Abuse Awareness Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families.
Community Events
CASA of Southeast Mississippi, Inc. hosted its first Light of Hope Community Celebration on Monday, April 3, at the Pascagoula Round Island Lighthouse at 6 pm as part of the program’s observance of April’s month-long designation to call attention to this critical issue.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors is the evening’s presenting sponsor and the keynote speaker will be District 4 supervisor, Troy Ross who also serves as an honorary Governing Board member for CASA of Southeast Mississippi. Tee McCovey with United Way for Jackson and George Counties will serve as master of ceremonies and speakers will include Jay Willis, mayor of the city of Pascagoula, and the Honorable Stacie Zorn, Jackson County Youth Court judge.
Throughout the month of April, individuals are encouraged to wear blue looped ribbons to help draw attention to the many programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect which touches people from all walks of life throughout the country and worldwide. Wearing these blue ribbons serves as a daily reminder that it takes dedicated community efforts and commitment to protect these vulnerable children.
During the month of April, CASA of Southeast Mississippi Governing Board members and staff will travel to speak with the city leaders and county supervisors throughout George, Greene and Jackson Counties to spotlight the problem and raise awareness of child abuse and neglect here in Mississippi. They will obtain signed proclamations from these groups recognizing April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.
In addition, nutrition stores (Add Links) from Ocean Springs to Greene County have been encouraged to feature a specialty blue drink to increase public awareness of the month’s significance to the victims of abuse and neglect.