(Photo courtesy of KIDS Center)
KIDS Center (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service Center) and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery kicked off the Blue Ribbon Campaign on April 1. The Campaign coincides with April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in 1989 as one woman’s tribute to her grandson when she tied a blue ribbon on her car antenna to symbolize his bruises, after he died at the hands of his mother’s abusive partner. This campaign was brought to Central Oregon in 1997 to raise awareness of the epidemic of child abuse in our community. In addition to awareness, the Blue Ribbon Campaign focuses on educating individuals and groups on how to better protect children in their lives, as well as our community from child abuse.
Almost 50,000 blue ribbons along with educational materials and posters will be distributed throughout the community in April. People are encouraged to wear a blue ribbon to show support for the awareness and prevention of child abuse.
As part of the 2017 Blue Ribbon Campaign, they are asking adults to Speak Up and Save a Child. It is a call for the adult community to take an active role in protecting the children of Central Oregon. By simply taking a child abuse prevention training, adults raise awareness of child abuse in our community and create a safer environment for all children.
KIDS Center and MountainStar have the honor to award six community partners for their outstanding commitment to preventing child abuse in Central Oregon, as 2017 Prevention Partners of the Year. Each has dedicated valuable resources and time to learn how to better protect children, as well as provide concrete support for families in crisis.
The following organizations have been selected:
Struble Orthodontics
Westside Church
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Larson Learning Center
Let’s Talk Diversity Coalition
Madras Safeway.
Congratulations for your outstanding work in preventing child abuse!
A number of special events are scheduled for the month of April: www.kidscenter.org or mtstar.org/april.
Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Bend Broadband, Bend Garbage & Recycling, East Bend Dental, Selco Community Credit Union
