Blue Sunday - Day of Prayer
Dear Editor,
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Throughout the month various organizations, including ours, participate in awareness opportunities and community outreach to help break the cycle of child abuse and be the voice for our most vulnerable victims: our children. This year we, Mid Ozark CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), are asking for your help. The last Sunday in April (April 29) has been designated as "Blue Sunday Day of Prayer." This is the day churches across the nation will pray for the innocent victims of child abuse and pray for those who rescue them. It began with only 20 churches taking time in their morning services to pray for the victims of child abuse. It has grown into an international event with more than 2 million participants. We, as a children's agency, would like to invite you to partner with us to touch the lives of hurting children in our community.
Here are some ideas your group can help raise awareness:
1) Participate in the "Blue Sunday Day of Prayer" and have a special service or prayer to recognize abused and neglected children.
2) Invite CASA as a guest speaker to explain our organization, and share statistics and prevention ideas with your cotmnunity.
3) Light a five-wick candle to commemorate the five young lives lost every day as a result of child abuse and neglect.
4) Wear a blue ribbon or simply the color blue throughout the month of April to raise awareness of child abuse.
Mid Ozark CASA would also be happy to provide pamphlets and tips about child abuse and prevention for your community's use. The more people who participate, the more conversations will be had and the more prayers will be offered for our children.
Please contact our office, (573) 677-2022, to discuss this opportunity and make arrangements for us to get appropriate infonnation and materials to you. As a volunteer-based organization that advocates for child abuse victims in foster care, we welcome the opportunity to share more information about our program with you as well. You can also visit our website, www.midozarkcasa.com, to learn more about CASA and our mission.
Thanks for your time, and please join us in praying for the most vulnerable youth in our area With education, prayer, and advocacy, we hope to reach every child in need.
Sincerely,
Mary Heywood
Executive Director