Our 28th Blue Bow Campaign Anniversary at Children’s Home & Aid

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize that we each can play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our communities. This year’s theme is “Growing Better Together.” Now more than ever, our families need to know that they are the center of our work and there are tools, resources, and steps that everyone can take to prevent child abuse. The blue bow serves as a symbol of the campaign to end abuse and is also a signal to families experiencing abuse that we hear their often–silent cries and we at Children’s Home & Aid are prepared to help. During this year’s campaign we are focusing on child neglect. Seventy-five percent of child maltreatment cases across the country and in Illinois are cases of child neglect.

The Illinois Blue Bow Committee, run by Children’s Home & Aid and a partnership of social and community service organizations, has annually hosted dozens of events throughout the month of April—National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The purpose of these events is to bring attention to the pervasiveness of child abuse in Illinois and to educate the public about resources available in our communities to help parents and children prevent abuse. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will again be recognizing this awareness effort virtually.

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Wear blue on April 1, and take a picture posting it to your social media with the hashtag #WearBlue202! Download our “Get Involved” flyer to find out all the ways individuals and organizations can contribute to the Blue Bow Campaign or contact Earl Kloppmann at: ekloppma@childrenshomeandaid.org.

For more information on how prevention can help or to join a parent support group, please visit our Parent’s Care & Share page.

STATEWIDE BLUE BOW EVENTS

Due to the public health situation with the COVID-19 virus, and in compliance with state and local recommendations, we are cancelling all public events. The children and families we serve still need you! Click here to learn how you can help.

Our work continues to promote awareness of child abuse prevention and we are always looking for new, innovative ways to share the importance of this issue on social media, online, and through virtual events. This year we will double our social media efforts, and we are encourage everyone to follow, reshare, and tag us in your own Blue Bow posts throughout April! We look forward to seeing you next year at the Blue Bow events!

Check out our Taking Steps to End Child Abuse Month-long Virtual Run/Ride!

The annual race is in memory of young Jack and Duncan Leichtenberg of LeRoy, victims of the 2009 murder-suicide by their father after he failed to return them to their mother from a visit. All proceeds from the race go to the Family Visitation Center. The only one of its kind in the McLean County region, the center provides a safe, neutral, child-friendly environment for supervised visitation and exchanges for families.

Blue Bow Campaign Presentation: My Journey to Reunification by G. Cox

April 14, noon to 1:00 p.m. Winnebago
April 21, noon to 1:00 p.m. Cook County
April 28, noon to 1:00 p.m McLean County

Gregory Cox, Parent’s Care & Share Fatherhood Coordinator, shares his incredible story of reunification with his children after involvement with the child welfare system. In this presentation Gregory will give practical suggestions to parents and providers about how we can grow better together.

RESOURCES

There are dozens of ways you can help spread awareness during the month of April and beyond. Please see below for useful resources to help you start your own local movement.