April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Let's light a Candle!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and is recognized by the National CASA Association by hosting a “Light of Hope” candlelight event across the nation. The vigil is part of a national movement to light a symbol of hope for abused and neglected children. On Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 6:00pm, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is sponsoring a Candlelight Vigil on front of the Watson Government Complex at the Pavilion of Veterans Park. The public is invited to attend.

The community is often unaware of the severity of child abuse and neglect in Paulding County. There were 1,543 reports of child abuse and neglect in 2015 in Paulding county of which 226 were substantiated and 160 of these children were served in foster care. The community agencies and CASA Paulding volunteers helped ensure that these children would have safe, lasting homes where they can thrive. CASA volunteers served a total of 288 children involved in juvenile dependency cases in Paulding county. They drove over 30,000 miles to advocate for these children and dedicated 4,435 volunteer hours.

You can give a light of hope to a child by joining us on April 28th with a light (candle, flashlight, glow stick) where together we can make a difference. CASA Paulding will be providing candles and suggests everyone to wear blue.

Judge Miller of the Paulding Juvenile Court and Mr. Jim Provost will be sharing relevant information with the audience on how we can all help END child abuse and neglect. Mrs. Anna Wilcox Vaagen will be delighting the audience with inspirational songs. See you there!