Every year, 4.3 million children are referred to child protection agencies. The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations, losing an average of five children a day to child abuse and neglect. That is why April is recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month and communities nationwide dedicate their time to spread awareness of this alarming and ongoing problem.
Project Harmony of Omaha partners with other local organizations like Boys Town to raise community awareness and stand up to prevent child abuse and neglect by participating in the annual National Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign held nationwide every April. Boys Town Nebraska Foster Family Services has participated in this program for more than ten years, recently placing 1,000 blue pinwheels at the Pacific Street entrance of the Boys Town National Headquarters in support of the campaign to help end child abuse and to give children a voice.The pinwheels are a symbol to remind our community that each child deserves a healthy childhood, so that they can have a bright future. We all have a responsibility to help protect children in the community through education and awareness, support and outreach to children and families in need, and by reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
"Boys Town Foster Family Services is honored to again participate in the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign," said Matthew Priest, Director of Nebraska Foster Family Services. “We all have the responsibility and the power to protect a child and this campaign brings to light the child abuse problem in our community. Together, we must prioritize safe and healthy families."
Boys Town thanks Project Harmony for their endless support of serving children in need in the Omaha area. Through community partnerships we can all work together to end the harsh reality of child abuse.