The pinwheels are being planted because April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

More and more blue and silver pinwheels are making their way around town.

They are a visual reminder of responsibility to protect children.

The pinwheels are a national symbol for child abuse prevention.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Children's Cabinet and the Women and Children's Center of the Sierra held their Pinwheels for Prevention event to spread awareness on Thursday.

"So, everybody that drives by are going to be asking I wonder what that is," said Thelma Aviles, Community Education and Event Coordinator, The Children's Cabinet. "Well, the pinwheels represent that childhood that every child deserves which is be safe and be happy."

Many set out to plant eye-catching pinwheels outside the WACCS building.

However, there was more to event than the pinwheels.

"So, our partnership with the Children's Cabinet, we brought a whole range of organizations here because we don't know exactly what they need, but hopefully with this event they will find exactly what they need to move their lives forward," said Alex Nevarez, Co-Executive Director, WACCS.

There were about 30 different agencies present today.

Nevarez says that more people need to know what help is available to them.

"One of the biggest problems in our community is the lack of knowledge of resources," Nevarez said. "The resources are usually out there; we just need to spread the word, and these do that just perfectly."

For one family, their granddaughter has changed a lot now that she's three.

So, they decided to check out what resources may assist them in this stage of her life.

"What works for me, may not work for someone else and what works for them may not work for me," said Scott Henderson, Grandfather. "But this is a great to come out and see what's available for your child or if you're taking care of a child like we are. Just to be able to get that information."

Nevarez says events like this aim to educate people to try and get awareness on abuse and neglect to hopefully see the number of those cases drop.

For signs a child may be abused, Nevarez says to watch out for unusual bruising, burns, and changes in behavior.

If you need help, both organizations say they're just one phone call away.

"If you reach out to us and you have some sort of concern, we will help you," Nevarez said. "We will get you the resources to have your child be safe." 

"All you have to do is call The Children's Cabinet and The Children's Cabinet will connect you with any resource you might need," Aviles said.

Home | Women & Children's Center (waccs.org)

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