April is Child Abuse Awareness Month
plant a pinwheel garden with harmony home
A pinwheel garden planting happens at the beginning of April via Facebook Live at Harmony Home CAC as our digital kickoff to April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Community members of all ages are encouraged to join our efforts by planting blue pinwheels in the yards of their homes for the duration of April. The blue pinwheel, representing innocence is a national symbol for child abuse prevention. Pinwheels reflect the bright future all children deserve. The pinwheel is a positive emblem of the effect we can have when we work together to prevent child abuse. This events runs through the entire month of April. Add us on Facebook today and join us in planting a pinwheel garden this April!
Party in the Park for Prevention
Every year Harmony Home hosts Party in the Park in early April as our city-wide kickoff to Child Abuse Awareness Month. We really missed seeing you all at this year's Party in the Park due to the cancellation from COVID-19 precautions. Next year's Party in the Park is anticipated to be bigger and better than ever! Mark your calendars now because you won't want to miss this day of family bonding full of music, games, food, raffles, prizes and fun for all ages.
blue ribbon week
Blue Ribbon Week is geared towards our students. We hope these fun outfit suggestions will start the conversation amongst children and adults about Child Abuse Prevention Measures. This year's Blue Ribbon Week is scheduled for April 12-16th. We want our entire community's participation as we come together to spread awareness for child abuse prevention!
Coloring sheet contest
Typically our coloring contest is distributed to ECISD students on campus and voting takes place offline. However, this April our coloring contest was completed online. Students were asked to take a picture of their completed Harmony Home Coloring sheet and post it using the hashtags #NoExcuseForChildAbuse #EveryChildMatters and tag Harmony Home and that’s it! They are then entered to win the coloring contest! Submissions for this contest run through the entire month of April.
sidewalk chalk contest
Get outside and start creating some awesome chalk art! This activity is to get families out of the house and into the sunshine. All you have to do is create a picture with chalk, tag Harmony Home on Facebook, use our hashtags #NoExcuseForChildAbuse and #EveryChildMatters and that’s it! Submissions for this contest run through the entire month of April.
Art or essay contest
This activity is geared towards the older kids in our community. That means you, teens! We want to see your artwork or read an essay from you about “What Preventing Child Abuse Means to Me”. Take clear pictures and tag Harmony Home on Facebook using the hashtags #NoExcuseForChildAbuse and #EveryChildMatters. The prompt will change year to year so make sure you add Harmony Home on Facebook. Submissions for this contest run through the entire month of April.
Champions 4 Children conference
The Champions 4 Children conference is focused on educating the community and professionals in recognizing the signs, symptoms and effects of child abuse. As well as how to respond to outcries of child abuse. This is also a networking opportunity to come together as a community and help each other work towards the prevention of child abuse. The individuals in attendance will range from law enforcement, CPS, FBI, Educators, Children Advocacy Personnel, Nurses, Prosecution, parents and community members.
Harmony Home blue parade
This activity is our last event to close out Child Abuse Awareness Month. Come together with Harmony Home as we get out into Odessa neighborhoods, decorate our cars, and make noise to make the community aware that we are part of the solution to ending child abuse. We will then meet up together to release balloons. Balloons released match the number of children served at Harmony Home in the following year. This is our memorial to letting go of the hurt child abuse has caused these children. Join the fight with Harmony Home this April by adding our Facebook page.
Help Our Cause
Your support of Harmony Home and our mission of Together... Breaking the Silence... Healing the Hurt means the world to the children we serve each and every day! We appreciate your support and dedication.
