Gadsden paints the town blue as part of 'Summer of Awareness' initiative
Gadsden residents and businesses on Aug. 3 switched out their normal light bulbs for blue ones. Blue ribbons were cut and distributed throughout the week to signify the "Paint the Town Blue" initiative in honor of child abuse awareness.
April is traditionally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Family Success Center has expanded the movement in Etowah County, creating the "Summer of Awareness" initiative that includes the change in color across the city.
"Every summer, we ask local businesses to purchase a blue ribbon and a blue light. We ask that they keep their blue ribbons up all summer and we choose one night where all of the businesses turn their blue lights on in their windows," said Emma Clapp, the center's executive director.
The center has been actively participating in child abuse awareness with a blue ribbon campaign since "at least 2015," thanks to grants from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect and the Children's Trust Fund.
They upgraded to the current initiative in 2020 as part of their new season-long campaign, with Clapp citing the fact that more children would be home with their abusers for longer because of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.
Participants in the initiative purchase their blue ribbons and lights through the center; they are hand delivered in time for them to participate the night of the event. Ribbons are being asked to stay up through Aug. 31.
"We have Gold, Sponsor and Bronze sponsorship levels, but if someone can't afford that, we do just have the ability to purchase just an individual ribbon and light, or even just a ribbon," Clapp said.
Proceeds from these sales go directly toward two of the programs the center helps with: the Safe and Successful Child Abuse Prevention Program and the PEACE Program.
"They go into our city and county Schools and teach children about child abuse and neglect on an age appropriate level," Clapp explained. "They also discuss bullying, internet safety, smoking cessation, character development, stress and anger management and conflict resolution. But most important, it tells children how to tell a trusted adult if something is happening to them."
She said the initiative also helps foster community-wide support for child abuse prevention, as it allows them to stand together on these issues and also help with their outreach.
"It allows us to reach more children by more people learning about our programs and requesting our program in their kids' classroom, and allows us to purchase books, videos, and materials to help our children understand what they need to know," she added.
Clapp hopes that, ultimately, every business and resident within the city and Etowah County will participate in their initiative, especially with their plans to focus on community awareness with a new initiative coming in 2023 that will allow them to start their "Summer of Awareness" as soon as children are out for the summer.
"Every time I see the blue ribbons and lights at a business, I can't lie, I get a little emotional. Because I just hope that a child sees it too and knows that there is help for them," Clapp said.
"We've seen emails and comments from people all the time that children have seen these lights and ribbons and were given hope for their situation and that is what we are all about," she said.
For more information on the initiative or to participate, call the Family Success Center at 256-547-6888 or visit their Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3JLye60.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Painting Gadsden blue for Child Abuse Awareness Month
