"Ensuring children have the opportunity to grow up in a safe, healthy environment is everyone’s responsibility," said Kristen Rector, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee. "The pinwheel is a reminder that we all play a role in the future of our children. Children deserve to grow up feeling safe, nurtured, and loved, and the pinwheel gardens planted across the state of Tennessee this April show our commitment to families in the communities where we work and live every day."
More than 150 businesses across Tennessee are participating in Child Abuse Prevention Month, as proclaimed by Gov. Bill Haslam, as part of Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee's Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. PCAT and its community partners are stepping up campaign activities during April in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In support of local campaign efforts, PCAT and partners are planting pinwheel gardens around the state, providing educational materials for parents and advocates, and broadcasting public service announcements to highlight the fact that investing in effective prevention is less costly to society and to individuals than trying to fix things later.
Local Chattanooga businesses, ASA Engineering, Chattanooga Public Library, Chattanooga's Kids on the Block Inc., Children's Advocacy Center, Family Justice Center and South Chattanooga Library, will participate in planting their own gardens to advocate for children deserving of a happy, healthy childhood in Tennessee.
Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee's mission is to prevent the abuse and neglect of children in Tennessee.
For 30 years, PCAT has worked with communities and local partners to support parents in raising happy, healthy children. Its programs are provided in collaboration with community partners to strengthen families and reduce the risks of child abuse and neglect. For more information, visit www.pcat.org.