Spring is the time for planting and watching things grow. On Wednesday, April 15, 2015, six little things planted pinwheels in the garden bed at April House, to honor National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Morrison Community Day Care teacher Karen Oostenryk and cook Susan Wiersema walked six of their 15 children to April House Children’s Advocacy Center, 501 N. Madison Street, Morrison, IL.
April House is the only agency in Whiteside County to provide specialized services exclusively to children who have been abused or neglected. It is a short-term haven for child victims.
Oostenryk demonstrated how pinwheels interact with the spring breeze. Her three-, four-, and five-year-olds enjoyed that. The Day Care Center has openings; contact Oostenryk at 815-772-3707.
Blue pinwheels have become a National symbol for child abuse prevention. This simple image reminds us that all children deserve a happy, safe childhood.
Inside this recently-remodeled, cozy house, “children who are victims of abuse can share their story with a licensed clinician [Forensic Psychologist Dr. Johanna Hager] who specializes in talking with children. The interviews conducted at April House are essential for law enforcement and prosecutors when seeking justice for the child.”
April House Board Member Mary Black and advocate-volunteers Mary Jo Dunagan and Dixie Vegter attended the event, at the renovated site on the northwest corner.
Dunagan allowed the children to put their pinwheels to the test.
Over several months in 2014, members of Sunshine Rotary, Rock Falls, IL, transformed the structure with their donated labor. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has begun to bring in some grant monies. Grants paid for electricity, heat, and water, but also for child testing and physician’s fees.
Ongoing financial support is critical. During FY 2014, the cost of operations for April House was $85,000. Grant money of $50,000 left a need to secure donations of $35,000. A March 2015 fundraiser brought in close to $10,000 to help offset that gap.
The annual April House Golf Scramble will be held in July, rather than September, this year. This four-person golf scramble ensures there are monies available to offer services to children. As a major fundraiser, the event also allows non-golfers to support April House, with raffles and a Lucky Duck auction, as well as donations made to April House.
In March 2015 Dr. Hager stated from July 2013 to June 2014, she held 85 individual interviews, which is down from the typical 100 cases in the County. However, now cases are “way up,” as reflected in recent figures. From July 2014 through February 2015, she has interviewed 82 abused or neglected children. Those figures of eight months match the previous year’s total. Even so, Dr. Hager stated, “I love going to work there [at April House]!”
The majority of child abuse cases stemmed from situations and conditions that can be preventable, when community programs and systems are engaged and supportive. A community that cares about early childhood development, parental support, and maternal mental health, for instance, is more likely to foster nurturing families and healthy children.
