APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Public Invited to PCA Fayette Benefit Dinner, Tuesday, April 28at Four Seasons International Restaurant in Peachtree City, 5-9pm.

Fayette, GA - This April, Prevent Child Abuse Fayette (PCA), part of FACTOR (http://www.fayettefactor.org/) joins Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and Prevent Child Abuse America in raising awareness for child abuse prevention. PCA Fayette Coalition held a very important training on April 14, 2009 at Christ our Shepherd Lutheran Church for Mandated Reports and First Responders. The topic was not easy as it dealt with an issue we think will never happen to our children, our relative’s children, or anyone we know for that matter. But it does, all too often. The topic was child sexual abuse. 1 in 4 girls are molested by their 18th birthday; 1 in 6 boys are molested by their 18th birthday. Any child abuse, but especially sexual abuse, leaves wounds and scars for a lifetime. The training, Darkness to Light, helped us look at steps to better protecting our children and how to advocate for them.

The next PCA Fayette event will be a benefit dinner at the Four Seasons International Café, 114 Huddleston Rd., Peachtree City, GA 30269 on Tuesday, April 28 from 5-9pm. Many community leaders have graciously agreed to assist FACTOR/PCA Fayette in raising awareness and funds for our community Child Abuse Prevention coalition. The public is invited to enjoy a delicious meal that night served by the volunteer community leaders. They will be your waiter/waitress for the evening! All tips and donations will go to support the work of the coalition. Four Seasons International Café, www.fourseasonscafeptc.com offers great food in a relaxing atmosphere, with a menu filled with Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The night’s musical entertainment will be provided by local youth. Come, enjoy and support the work of Fayette’s Child Abuse Prevention Coalition. Your gift helps build a better future for our children. FACTOR is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Preventing child abuse means reducing the risks that threaten the health and safety of children, and increasing the strength of factors that keep families and communities strong. These protective factors are conditions that help assure the well-being of children and families. According to PCA Fayette Coalition, protective factors are positive attributes that strengthen all families and include such things as love, nurturing, acceptance, and protection. Becky Smith, Executive Director/FACTOR says, “As communities, we have a responsibility to one another. If we work together, we can help parents recognize and effectively address challenges, and we can collectively invest our resources in supporting all families.”

PCA Fayette partners; DFCS, Health Dept, CASA, Integrated Family Services, DJJ, Fayette Youth Protection Home, Promise Place, REACH Headstart, Fayette School System, Christ our Shepherd, Oasis Counseling, Mom on a Mission, www.LocalKidFun.com- all share core values - valuing children, strengthening families and engaging communities. The coalition mission is to plan and implement activities and events that bring awareness and education regarding the “why and how” of preventing child abuse in our county.

“Individuals from all walks of life can, and must, take an active role in the work of child abuse prevention,” says DePriest Waddy, Chief Executive Officer of PCA Georgia. “Investing in the well-being of all children is a sound investment. When families are healthy and strong, communities are healthy and strong. It’s that simple.”

Some ways that Becky Smith says communities can strengthen families are:

• Partner with parents. Parenting is hard work! Understand that all parents have strengths and help them build on those strengths.

• Help parents identify networks within their family and community for emotional support, encouragement and assistance.

• Promote PCA Georgia’s confidential an anonymous 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline as a source of information, support and access to community resources.

• Advocate for programs and policies that support children and family stability.

• Give of your time and resources to organizations working to build strong families and healthy communities To find out more about building protective factors within families call PCA Georgia’s Helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN (244.5373). Information is also available at www.fayettefactor.org or www.pcageorgia.org.