Each April, Cope Family Center commemorates Child Abuse Prevention Month by bringing awareness to this important issue and raising funds to help keep children safe. In Napa County in 2018, Child Welfare Services received 1,622 reports of abuse or neglect of which 149 cases involving 242 children were substantiated.
“One child suffering abuse or neglect is one child too many,” said Cope Executive Director Michele Grupe. “The best way to prevent child abuse is to support families and provide parents with the skills and resources they need to raise children who thrive. While organizations like Cope do this work every day, everyone can play a role in building the protective factors that promote the wellbeing of children and families. When all members of the community work together as a whole, families feel supported and are better able to nurture and care for their children.”
There are many opportunities throughout the month to learn about child abuse prevention and take action. The public is invited to visit “Walk with Me: In the Shoes of Napa County’s Child Abuse Victims”, an emotional exhibit that displays 242 pairs of children’s shoes, each representing one of the 242 victims and abuse and neglect in our county last year. The exhibit is on display at Cope starting on Monday, April 8.
Cope has also partnered with Napa businesses for Paint the Town Blue, an awareness campaign to bring attention to the issue of child abuse. Participating businesses display a Blue Ribbon Business decal, distribute information and encourage customers to get involved in child abuse prevention. The following businesses are also donating a portion of sales to support Cope’s family support services: Ben and Jerry's, Bloom Salon, Boho Lifestyle, Don Perico, El Pollo Loco, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Heritage Eats, Hop Creek Pub, Kalifornia Jean Bar, Molinari Café. Napa Running Company, Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company, Napa Valley Hotel and Suites, Napa Valley Jewelers and Yoga Passion. To see the full list of Blue Ribbon Businesses and dine/shop/sip/caffeinate-and-donate events, visit copefamilycenter.org/paintthetownblue2019.
“Over 50 businesses are participating this year and we are grateful to each of them for taking a stand to help end child abuse in our community,” said Harmony Plenty, Development and Marketing Director. “We have also received generous support from our Blue Ribbon Month sponsors Kaiser Permanente, John Brockway Huntington Foundation, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Nova Group, Long Electric and the K and J Jaeger Family Fund.”
Cope also invites the community to demonstrate their commitment to keeping children safe by buying a blue ribbon. Donations of any amount will support Cope’s programs and services which empower parents with the education, resources and support they need to raise children who thrive. Cope will recognize every donation by displaying a blue ribbon with the donor’s name or message in their lobby throughout April.