Nurture the Next Launches
This April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Nurture the Next is launching a brand-new campaign aimed at supporting parents after a difficult year of socially distanced living. We know that the best way to prevent child abuse is to support parents. As we recognize the unprecedented challenges parents are facing, our message is simple: Lift a Parent, Raise a Child.
In previous years, the Tennessee-based organization relied on the national organization and network to raise awareness through their pinwheel garden program. However, after the historic impact from the coronavirus, the organization knew that they had an opportunity to move in a new direction.
"After nearly three decades of being known as Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee--and a challenging year for families--we knew that we had to think of a new way to spread the message this April," said Kristen Davis, CEO of Nurture the Next. "To the average person, 'preventing child abuse' may feel like something too big or too complicated for them to help do. However, all the research tells us that the best way to prevent child abuse is actually to do something quite simple: support parents. Which clearly, they need now, more than ever."
The pandemic has left many parents without the support they need from losing access to childcare to isolation from family and friends, while also experiencing greater levels of stress and anxiety. This April, Nurture the Next is calling on all community members to join them in #RaisingTogether. There are many ways that individuals can join in, including putting up a yard sign to show your support for parents, "lift a parent" by recognizing them on social media, purchasing a birdhouse activity to decorate with loves ones, or by simply helping to spread the word to your friends, family, and community members.
To learn more about how you can participate you can visit their Raising Together webpage. Those who are interested in continuing their participation with Prevent Child Abuse America's pinwheel garden can find information about purchases those supplies on that page.
Since 1982, each April has been recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month across the United States. It is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. During the month of April, and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness and provide education and support to families through resources and strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect.
