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April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign uses a simple child’s toy to remind us that we all play an important role in children’s lives. During April, local agencies and child advocates will be raising awareness about the importance of taking an active role in promoting healthy child development, positive parenting practices and community action so that child abuse and neglect never occur. Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties will be proudly displaying pinwheels to serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to ensure children grow up healthy and safe in our communities. To find out more about how you can get involved, please visit www.heartlandforchildren.org or www.preventchildabusefl.org.
Kimberly Hernandez decided that she wanted to do something for children in our community who are less fortunate and contacted Heartland for Children about donating Easter baskets. She shared that she was originally going to put together 40 baskets but when she heard that there were over 1,500 kids in foster care she decided to do more and was able to connect with her friends and put together 110 Easter baskets for our kids in foster care.
In October 2019, the Chapdelaine's adopted siblings Jordan and Lane keeping the children together and their strong sibling bond. Read their story.
In March, we celebrate that fact that every day, some 682,000 social workers across the nation act as advocates, champions and leaders who make our society a better place to live. Social Service Professionals are essential to community well-being. They are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities.
Ashley Beckwith was a constant source of information and support during the two years and five months of our adoption journey. My husband and I completed the Adoption 101 (now MAPS) class in 2012. Ashley stayed in touch and available to us through the adoption newsletter and checking in via email. She was present at match meetings and adoption events. We finalized our adoption a month ago. I am finally a mother and I feel so thankful and blessed to have been able to work with Ashley through this process. Ashley, you are so dedicated and positive. It was a pleasure to work with you.
Mary Thomson-Marin Adoptive Parent