NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
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LANSING – Spinning blue and silver pinwheels marked the path to the State Capitol Wednesday as Children Trust Michigan held the 16th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally.
About 250 people attended, planting the pinwheels in the ground following a ceremony where speakers talked about how communities around Michigan can prevent child abuse. The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Children Trust Michigan, housed within MDHHS, was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982. It serves as a voice for Michigan's children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
Suzanne Greenberg, executive director of Children Trust Michigan, served as emcee for the rally.
“Every day, our Children Trust Michigan team works in partnership with our more than 100 prevention partners so we can prevent child abuse and neglect in Michigan by strengthening families,” said Greenburg.
“We support primary and secondary prevention programs as well as Family Resource Centers serving all 83 counties. We believe in the power of prevention, and we know our programs are truly making a difference, keeping families together and giving children the best possible chance to live in a safe, happy and healthy environment.”
Other event speakers included Earl Major, Children Trust Michigan board member, Sen. Aric Nesbitt, Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Duane Breijak, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers.
Children Trust Michigan also honored the 2024 winner of the Inspire Award – Shana Dancer, a volunteer at the Gratiot Child Advocacy Association.
Danni Franzoni of Child & Family Services of Northeast Michigan, Ian Agee of InvolvedDad, Inc. and Julie Hunter of Gratiot County Child Advocacy Association shared parent stories.
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