April is Child Abuse Awareness Month; Local Blue Family Event is this Saturday ...

Across the nation and right here in northeast Iowa, April is a time to highlight Child Abuse Prevention and raise awareness for the efforts being done to eradicate child abuse.

Helping Services for Youth & Families Family Education Team is partnering with Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) to put on a free community event for families. The event is focused on bringing community awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month and community resources through activities that the whole family can enjoy. The Blue Family Day event being held at the Waukon Wellness Center this Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. will include a bouncy house, carnival games and community resources to explore. Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

National Child Abuse Awareness Month was first declared by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, and after four years, April was formerly established as Child Abuse Prevention Month by President Ronald Reagan. The purpose of the month is for communities to rededicate themselves to being supportive of families and play an active role in preventing child abuse and neglect, as well as taking positive action to promote child and family well-being. The color blue became the color for child abuse awareness. Working with families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is a non-profit organization serving eight counties with programs that promote healthier and safer families throughout northeast Iowa. Submitted photo.