Local Group Works to Raise Awareness During Child Abuse Prevention Month

Posted on April 6, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a local organization is working to raise awareness of the issue.

Annette VanSchoyck with Prevent Child Abuse Starke County and the Starke County Coalition Against Domestic Abuse says there are a few signs to look out for. “The yelling, the screaming, the cursing, the name-calling – if you see that, it’s definitely a red flag that that parent or that person doesn’t have real good impulse control or control of their anger,” she says, “especially if they’re doing it in a public place where other people are seeing that and hearing that and that child is then being publicly humiliated.”

She says sometimes, parents simply don’t know any other way. “It’s the way they were raised, and it’s the parenting skills that they’ve been handed down,” VanSchoyck says. “So once they learn some other more positive, less abusive parenting skills, the better off they’re going to be, and the less child abuse there’s going to be.”

VanSchoyk says there are resources available to help people learn more positive parenting techniques. “Tips for tears, tips for stress, talking about parenting being the most stressful job that you can ever have, and tips for not lashing out in anger and what you can do to stop that and take a timeout yourself as a parent to think about it, take a deep breath, to take a break, to walk out of the room, and then come back and deal with that,” VanSchoyck says.

She adds that organizations like Prevent Child Abuse Starke County seek to educate the public and prevent abuse before it happens. “A lot of programs all over the country are turning funds towards prevention, versus band-aids after the fact, and I think the earlier you start, the better,” she says. “That’s why a lot of the programs are prenatal programs and all those things are starting so much earlier because they’re learning that the sooner you start, the less likely that you are to have a problem later on down the line.”

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the organization is placing pinwheels at libraries and other public buildings around the area, along with informational packets. The pinwheel is the national symbol of child abuse prevention. Additionally, representatives of Prevent Child Abuse Starke County will be at the Starke County Preschool Fair on Tuesday, April 18.

VanSchoyk encourages anyone who’d like to help raise awareness of child abuse to join the group by calling 574-772-3331.

Have A Heart For CADA

The Friends of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library are conducting their semi-annual drive for the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse.  During the month of February they will be collecting non-food items to be used by CADA clients.  Items can be dropped off at the library during regular business hours.

Suggestions include:

Paper towels
Foil or plastic wrap
Laundry products:
       Detergent
       Fabric softener sheets
Dish detergent
Sponges
Toothpaste
Deodorant
(No shampoo is needed at this time)
Any cash donations will be converted into store gift cards

The Friends of the Library thank for your support of Phoenix House, a safe shelter for Starke County residents.

From Our Friends of the Library

The Friends of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library would like to say THANK YOU...

to everyone who made a contribution to our collection for CADA, they are very thankful for everything they received.  We've pinned their thank you note to the bulletin board in our lobby.

to everyone who made a purchase at our Cookie Walk out at Bailey's Discount.  Our Friends group made a total of $630 which will be used toward children's programming and for a new video projector.

to Bailey's Discount for allowing us to have our Cookie Walk at their business.

Friends of the Library Collecting for CADA

The Friends of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library will be collecting items for CADA (Coalition Against Domestic Abuse) during the month of October.  Items can be brought to the library any time during the month.  Requested items are those which cannot be purchased with food stamps, namely paper products and personal items (no shampoo is needed) such as:

• Paper towels
• Foil
• Plastic wrap
• Plastic bags
• Dish detergent
• Laundry soap
• Dryer sheets
• Sponges
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorant

Any cash donations will be converted into gift cards.

They Opened Their Hearts to CADA

In February the Friends of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library chose the Starke County CADA (Coalition Against Domestic Abuse) to be their Valentine.  Letters were sent out to members with a wish list of needed items and we waited for things to trickle in.

But one of our Friends went one step beyond; she took it upon herself to get the word out even further.  Because of her concern and compassion CADA received enough items to fill two family vans. 

The Board and Staff of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library salute the following local heroes:

The Friends of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library

Roslynn Bejes

The Staff and Students of the North Judson-San Pierre High School (especially the English, History, and  Science Departments)

North Judson Family Dental

Rays Super Foods