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The Group at A Baby’s Voice Baby Advocacy Heart in Social Circle entered Could with a renewed spirit — coming off our favourite month, Baby Abuse Prevention Month (April), a profitable first Pinwheel Palooza, and the celebration of our expanded middle. As we replicate on this yr’s occasions, I discover myself grateful and hopeful, and excited to additional develop our neighborhood presence.
We have fun Baby Abuse Prevention Month every April with neighborhood shows of pinwheels, as a result of pinwheels symbolize playfulness, pleasure and whimsy. They characterize protected, wholesome, blissful childhoods and are the official image of kid abuse prevention. Hopefully you noticed our pinwheel backyard at Covington First United Methodist Church this April. We “plant” the pinwheels for the month of April. We hope that folks discover pleasure in these pinwheels and be taught extra about little one abuse prevention within the course of.
However these pinwheels are solely up for a month. They’re small, get damaged, and generally get taken (which is OK!). My dream is for a much bigger impression. For a bigger neighborhood presence. For pinwheels to be an emblem the neighborhood connects to all yr. Our employees have lengthy dreamed of HUGE pinwheels that may very well be everlasting. Final November, my coworker Jennifer emailed me a YouTube video of a man, in a storage, exhibiting methods to make a six-foot broad, spinning metallic pinwheel. He made 4 of those pinwheels for a public artwork set up. We thought, “excellent! We are able to share this with somebody regionally who could make us pinwheels!” Seems, this public artwork set up was on the Beltline in Atlanta! Jennifer reached out to the artist, Dr. Alex Rodriguez (“Dr. ARod”), made a connection, garnered neighborhood assist, and we now have three of those large pinwheels put in in Chimney Park, a public, family-friendly park that mirrors the whimsy of the pinwheel!
I like this story as a result of it aligns with what we train in our work. We all know that for protected and wholesome childhoods, it takes a neighborhood method. Caring neighborhood members should be keen to assist the kids and households of their neighborhood. The concept that “it takes a village” stands true. We facilitate a coaching referred to as “Connections Matter” and it has became a catch phrase across the workplace, however it’s true! Connections Matter! With out connections, and the neighborhood, our large pinwheel show wouldn’t exist. With out Dr. ARod being open to share his pinwheels with us; with out Allsouth Constructors, Inc., Management Newton County, and United Financial institution sponsoring the pinwheels; with out Chimney Park’s willingness to companion with us; with out Jennifer taking an opportunity to achieve out…. We wouldn’t have our pinwheel show. All of those connections have been important for this venture to come back to fruition.
We all know that stopping little one abuse and constructing wholesome communities/childhoods works the identical manner. Perhaps you’re the Dr. ARod in your neighborhood — sharing your sources and skills to maintain your neighbor’s yard mowed so the children have a protected space to play; or portray murals to maintain it vibrant and enjoyable; or taking part in tunes on the native farmers market to brighten everybody’s day. Perhaps you’re the Management Newton or Allsouth Constructors or United Financial institution in your neighborhood, shopping for from a child’s lemonade stand or donating college provides for the Again to Faculty giveaway. Perhaps you’re the Jennifer in your neighborhood, having the thought to plan a neighborhood cookout or organizing a carpool to minimize the burden on the opposite mother and father. Perhaps you’re the Chimney Park in your neighborhood, supporting and championing these round you, providing up your house for a household recreation evening or volunteering as a little bit league coach.
Everybody has a task to play in creating protected childhoods. Science reveals us that the little issues we do to attach make a BIG distinction, even once they really feel insignificant. I hope you go to our pinwheels in Chimney Park, and when you’re there, I hope you consider the little methods you may have interaction, proper the place you’re.
To be taught extra about your position in creating protected childhoods and precenting little one abuse, or to be taught extra about A Baby’s Voice, go to our web site at www.achildsvoicecac.org or join with us on social media @AChildsVoiceCAC.
Lauren Gregory, LMSW, is the Grants and Group Coordinator for A Baby’s Voice Advocacy Heart, Inc. in Social Circle.
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