Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. along with City Councilmembers, representatives from the Children’s Trust of South Carolina and the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center unveiled the Pinwheels for Prevention Garden at the intersection of Rutledge Avenue and Broad Street in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Pinwheels for Prevention is a national initiative aimed at raising awareness of child abuse, in an effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of children. The initiative encourages cities to help with this effort by signing up as Pinwheel Cities. The pinwheel was chosen as the symbol for child abuse prevention to represent an image of hope, safety, health and most importantly, happiness; the pinwheel signifies efforts to change the way our nation thinks about prevention.
Mayor Riley said, “April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, I encourage everyone in the community to continue to make Charleston a great place for children and families. Keeping our children safe and protected is a top priority for me and for our community. The Pinwheels for Prevention Garden will be a visual reminder to us all that we can help prevent child abuse.”
Others who made remarks at the unveiling were Councilmember William Dudley Gregorie, Carole Swiecicki, Executive Director of the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, and Heather Woolwine, Board member of Children’s Trust of SC.
Children’s Trust of South Carolina is the only statewide organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting public and private prevention efforts that keep South Carolina’s children safe. The organization works to prevent child abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries so that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a healthy, nurturing environment.
For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities contact Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center at 843-723-3600.