by Elizabeth Buckley
April is Child Abuse Prevention month, a time to recognize how we can take part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our community. To recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and our commitment to supporting, advocating, and protecting Champaign County’s children, Champaign County CASA is partnering with Crisis Nursery and the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center. This Friday, March 30, watch The Morning Show (6-8am) on WCIA & WCIX to hear about the events we have planned for April. We will also hand out blue ribbons and information cards to the general public. 
Drive by the WCIA studio and get your blue ribbons, free coffee from Einstein Bros Bagels and tune into The Morning Show. Then join us after at the Champaign County Courthouse as we place 472 blue “Pinwheels for Prevention” at the Champaign County Courthouse. Each blue pinwheel represents one child currently in the juvenile court system due to abuse and neglect in Champaign County. Please visit this powerful reminder of the children Champaign County CASA advocates for in our juvenile court system. These pinwheels represent efforts to change the way we think about abuse, neglect, and its prevention by focusing on community awareness and advocacy.
In addition, Champaign County CASA, Crisis Nursery, and the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center will be hosting a number of awareness events and fundraising opportunities to support their vital and crucial services to children in Champaign County:
- Larry Kanfer and his wife, Alaina, will be kicking off Champions for CASA with a children’s portrait event on Saturday, March 31; $75 per session with a beautiful complimentary 10×10 black and white print. Call 398-2000 to book a session. A number of restaurants will also be donating a portion of their sales throughout the month of April to Champaign County CASA. Please visit and like, “CASA of Champaign County” on Facebook for vouchers and dates.
- On Monday, April 2 over the noon hour, Crisis Nursery will be hosting “Wrap the Nursery.” Attendees will join hands around Crisis Nursery as a sign of support for its “Island of Safety.” Wear blue and enjoy a boxed lunch courtesy of Einstein Bros Bagels for the first 125 people. Contact Bridget at 337-2731 or email bridget@crisisnursery.net for more information.
- On Saturday, May 12, Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center will be holding its 2012 Champions4Children 5K Walk. Walkers will gather at the Champaign County Courthouse Plaza at 8 a.m. Registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt. In addition, Blue Kid cut outs will be displayed throughout Champaign County. Look for them in various locations in surrounding communities and the C-U area. Visit www.co.champaign.il.us/cac or call Michael 384-1266 for more information.
- Interested in volunteering? CASA volunteer training will take place between April 10-May 2. Currently, there are 130 cases involving neglected and abused children not assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Register by April 2 with Advocate Coordinator, Jim Wuersh, by calling the Champaign County CASA office at 384-9065 or email Jim at jwuersch@chcocasa.org and join us in advocating for Champaign County’s children. Crisis Nursery will also be hosting an Annual Volunteer Recruitment Event on Saturday, April 21, 9-11 a.m. Learn about Crisis Nursery’s services and meet and talk with current volunteers while tours are given. Contact Rebecca at volunteer@crisisnursery.net with questions.
With the continuing support and thousands of volunteer hours given to Champaign County’s children and children advocacy groups, we can provide a safer and better life and community for our children. We work in a collaborative effort to end child abuse and neglect while honoring the lives of these children. Join us in highlighting this work as we give voice, support, and safety to these children as we mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Thank you for your continuing support and thank you to Chambanamoms.com for helping us get our message out to the community.
Elizabeth Buckley is the Director of Development for Champaign County CASA. Contact Elizabeth at ebuckley@casa4kids.org.
