Neighbor News
Goodwill partners with Child Protection Center to 'paint Sarasota blue'
Local nonprofits partner to use fashion to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month national campaign
Goodwill Manasota has partnered with the Child Protection Center for the month of April to promote the #PaintSRQBlue campaign. Goodwill is featuring blue items on the seasonal rounder in all seven area retail stores throughout April.
April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month; blue is the color utilized to signify the campaign and help raise awareness of this urgent issue within our community and around the country. April 10th is “Child Abuse Prevention Day” — community members are encouraged to shop for blue clothing at Goodwill Manasota and share photos on social media with the hashtag #PaintSRQBlue.
Multiple businesses, banks and a variety of retail stores are setting up displays in lobbies and windows to help raise awareness of the campaign. For a full list of participants and activities throughout the month of April, visit cpcsarasota.org.
“At Child Protection Center, we believe that protecting children is everyone’s job. When a community stands together and participates in starting a conversation, that’s a step in the right direction,” said Doug Stanley, Child Protection Center’s executive director. “This is an issue that is often ignored or avoided because it’s not easy to talk about but we have to break the cycle, and that begins with raising awareness.”
“So often, people don’t understand what is happening right here in Sarasota. Partnerships like this one are invaluable in educating and motivating people to action,” said Veronica Brandon Miller, Goodwill Manasota Foundation vice president. “For 35 years, the Child Protection Center has existed in Sarasota to help children who are going through the worst circumstances you can imagine. If you’re looking for a way to get involved and help out a worthy cause, this is it. Wear blue this month and join us in showing your support.”
About Child Protection Center, Inc.
Child Protection Center, Inc.’s (CPC) mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. For 35 years, CPC has been the only organization Sarasota and Desoto County dedicated solely to the issue of child abuse. CPC has offices in downtown Sarasota, Venice, Northport, and Arcadia. The five programs that make up CPC’s holistic work include Personal Safety and Community Awareness (PSCA), the Child Protection Team (CPT), Supervised Visitation Program (SVP), Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (SATP), and the Kid Kindness Program (KKP). Through these programs CPC works with the community, law enforcement, professionals, children, families, and victims in an effort to end the cycle of abuse. For more information about CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
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