As part of a national campaign, the New Hampshire Children's Trust/Prevent Child Abuse America's New Hampshire chapter is celebrating April as Strengthening Families and Communities month. The Strengthening Families and Communities campaign promotes the message that strong families and strong communities can help prevent child abuse and neglect before it even happens because we all play a part in strengthening the community we live in and the family we live with.

Governor Lynch will be declaring April as Strengthening Families and Communities Month. A part of the New Hampshire Children's Trust's April campaign is Pinwheels for Prevention. Organizations, businesses, agencies and playgroups have already signed on to the 2011 campaign. Many will create pinwheel  gardens to be displayed throughout the month of April. The gardens demonstrate the support of the organization who planted the garden in strengthening their community and the families in their community and invites a dialogue about what others can do to keep children safe.

The pinwheel, a national symbol of child abuse and neglect prevention, was chosen to represent the campaign not only for the fancy alliteration, but also as a symbol of childhood and of innocence. Strengthening families and communities has a significant impact on child abuse and neglect, which is why the New Hampshire Children's Trust's campaign focuses on this aspect. Strengthening our families and communities helps prevent child abuse and neglect as well as creates happier and healthier futures for our children.

What Can We Do?

Agencies, Organizations, Businesses, Congregations and Schools are all encouraged to participate in this campaign by using pinwheels to create a display in support of prevention.  To learn more about the national campaign click on Pinwheels for Prevention. The New Hampshire Children's Trust will use pictures of New Hampshire's displays in slide shows at public events and will post them on its website. For more information and to get involved in New Hampshire please contact campaign coordinator, Taylor Cohen or 224-1279.

There are different ways to strengthen families:

At a government/policy level, you can support programs and community services that give resources to families and children. You can also write or call your elected officials to let them know about what you need and what you want from them.

At a community level, you can welcome new neighbors to the neighborhood and plan a neighborhood picnic, offer to baby-sit when parents in your neighborhood need a break, reach out to the families in your neighborhood and connect them with resources in the community, be a mentor or a role model for a child, volunteer at a local family resource center or a parent support group, or start a play group or an after-school program for children.

At a family level, you can spend time with your child or children every day, encourage your child or children by praising their talents, make sure your child knows you love them even when they do something wrong, and be aware of your child's developmental needs. Spend time together doing fun things such as attending the Dancing with the Greeks show at UNH on March 30 or Joining the Family Fun Run at Dartmouth College on April 17. For more information about these events contact the NH Children's Trust. Receive daily tips to strengthen your family and community in April by joining our Facebook group.