Plans for this year’s observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month have been altered due to COVID-19. Local CAP month activities are spearheaded each April by the Exchange Club of Rome’s Family Resource Center.
Tina Bartleson, FRC Executive Director, says that all planned activities have been cancelled, including the annual Placement of Pinwheels in honor of the victims of child abuse. The focus for this year, she adds, will be social media; check the FRC’s Facebook page for tips on how to support local families and children. There could be a celebration of FRC volunteers at the end of April, if circumstances permit.
Efforts to keep families safe are especially important at a time like this since stress levels are ‘through the roof’, asserts Bartleson.
The Tee Off Against Child Abuse golf tournament that had been scheduled to take place in May has been postponed. This event generates some $10,000 – $12,000 annually for the FRC. Donations from the public would be welcome at this time to facilitate the FRC mission of child abuse prevention; interested parties may contact Bartleson for more information at (706) 252-1177.