Shelter, Inc. works with families to prevent child abuse

Throughout the month of April, the Northwest suburbs will be dotted with Blue Pinwheel Gardens in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, with Shelter, Inc.'s child abuse prevention program Healthy Families leading the way.

April was proclaimed the National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and, in 1989, the blue ribbon became the official symbol, beginning with a grandmother in Virginia whose young grandson had died of abuse at the hands of his parents.

While the epidemic of child abuse has increased since 1983, with 1 in 5 children being abused by the age of 18, the emphasis this April is on strengthening and supporting families and raising community awareness to prevent abuse.

"Child abuse happens in every neighborhood, but it's a topic no one wants to talk about," said Carina H. Santa Maria, Shelter's executive director. "The more our community acknowledges the problem, the more children we can help."

In the 23 years since Shelter's Healthy Families began, no child in the program has ever been removed from their home due to allegations of abuse or neglect. The statistic is impressive, as the program is aimed at first-time parents with multiple challenges and stressors making the family at risk for abuse.

Shelter's website, www.shelter-inc.org, offers details and plenty of ways community members can show their support, from joining corporations such as Zurich and Allstate by displaying a Blue Pinwheel Garden throughout the month, to participating in the family-friendly 5K Run/Walk 4 Kidz April 27 and many more.

"While progress is being made," Santa Maria said, "no agency alone can end child abuse. It takes awareness, support, and the advocacy of our community working together to keep our children safe."

Shelter, Inc. is a nonprofit child welfare agency that protects abused and neglected children and adolescents by providing foster care, emergency and longer-term group home services in a safe and caring environment.

Healthy Families Program provides home visits to first-time parents, emphasizing children's well-being and positive parenting. Increased public awareness concerning child abuse, neglect and other social problems directly impacting children and their families is accomplished through Shelter's Community Education program.

For information on Shelter's programs and services, visit shelter-inc.org, follow them on Facebook @ShelterInc or contact (847) 255-8060.