In honor of child abuse prevention month
More than one hundred men (and women) gathered at Orlando City Hall on March 31 to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month in April by participating in the first-ever “MANicure MovementSM.” Hosted by Community Based Care of Central Florida (CBCCF), the new initiative is designed to raise awareness that violence against children is a national health crisis.
Participants – including City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley – had one fingernail painted in “prevention blue” to serve as a symbol of the fight against child abuse. Key community leaders, including Mayor Dyer; Orlando Police Chief John Mina; Mike Carroll, secretary of Florida Department of Children & Families; and Glen Casel, president, and CEO of Community Based Care of Central Florida, spoke at the event.
“Protecting children from suffering the devastating effects of abuse is our number one priority at Community Based Care of Central Florida,” said Casel. “It’s alarming that 1 in 5 experience abuse before the age of 18. Our hope is that this event provides a visual reminder that these kids live in our communities, and they need us to advocate for them.”
Event sponsors included: The City of Orlando, Florida Department of Children & Families, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Holland & Knight, Bikers Against Child Abuse, NYX Cosmetics and Kiara Sky Professional Nails.
To learn more about CBCCF and upcoming events for Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit www.ProtectAndInspire.org.
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About Community Based Care of Central Florida
As the leading nonprofit organization overseeing foster care, adoption and other child welfare services in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, Community Based Care of Central Florida serves more than 3,000 children and their families. For more information, visit wwwProtectAndInspire.org, “like” Community Based Care of Central Florida on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CBCCFL or follow it on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCFL.