Wednesdays4Kids April 18
We've got to work to save our children and do it with full respect for the fact that if we do not, no one else is going to do it.
Congregations can help Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, in 2009, 4,742 children were abused and neglected; 44 children suffered lifethreatening injuries and 21 children died from maltreatment. We know that the effects of abuse and neglect on a child's development can have an adverse impact on the rest of their lives and on the community as a whole.
Across the country, faith-based and religious organizations are among the strongest supporters of child abuse and neglect prevention efforts in their communities. This April, take action as a community and:
- Publicize community activities during Child Abuse Prevention Month in bulletins and in announcements at the close of services.
- Organize volunteers to visit with or provide transportation for pregnant women, parents, and children attending health clinics for prenatal and pediatric care.
- Create a pool of volunteers from your congregation to provide respite care to parents seeking support and promote this service in your neighborhood.
- Hold a community baby shower for your local crisis nursery. Enlist other local groups to help.
- Form or participate in partnerships with child advocates, schools, childcare facilities, and others. Address issues such as teen pregnancy prevention.
For more resources and ideas for getting involved in prevention efforts, visit Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota's website, and use our April Campaign Toolkit on the iCAN website.
iCAN Summer Get Out the Vote Activities
Congregations around the country can be powerful tools for fostering civic participation
among faithful citizens. When we encourage broader engagement with the electoral
process we ensure that more voices are considered in political decision-making, we
increase the visibility of our actions, we build relationships, and we compliment the other
advocacy work we do. Click here to learn more about what congregations CAN and CAN NOT do to participate in elections.
If you are interested in helping organize voter engagement activities in your region this summer, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
