“It really touches the heart.” Go Blue Rally raises awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month

Dozens of people showed up on a dreary, rainy morning, wearing blue, waving signs, and raising awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month and support the mission of The Children’s Place. Supporters included people from different organizations such as the Alaska State Troopers, ROCK Mat-Su, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Thrive Mat-Su, Set-Free Alaska, as well as community members.

“This is great, seeing these people out here! Just the groups that are here coming together is just amazing,” said Michelle Sturgeon, Executive Director of The Children’s Place during the rally. “It’s a good way just to raise awareness to the community that we’re here. Sometimes people get detached that this happens in our community, so little rallies like this make all the difference in the world, and gets a lot of groups together the protect kids and we absolutely love it.”

Hope Wells, an intern for The Children’s Place injected her effusive and enthusiastic vibe to the rally, “You see how excited I am about this, putting out to the community all the good we’re giving to these kids. If they get the help that they need, these kids can grow and hopefully break the cycle.”

“It’s amazing. It really touches the heart seeing the response from the community,” says Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, the founder of The Children’s Place.

In addition to the rally, Governor Mike Dunleavy has issued a proclamation in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Whereas every child is entitled to love, care, security, and protection from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and we must protect our children’s inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he wrote, adding “Child abuse affects millions of children nationwide and thousands in Alaska, and over 90 percent of child abuse is perpetuated by people the children know, love, and trust.”

“By working together, we can stem the tide of abuse in our Great State, strengthen our families and communities, and ensure that Alaska’s children enjoy brighter futures and grow to their full potential as healthy and productive citizens.

This month also marks the 25th anniversary for The Children’s Place, which has served over 5000 children since its inception. The Children’s Place provides advocacy and intervention in a child-friendly, safe, and neutral, safe location where law enforcement and Child Protective Service investigators can conduct interviews with children who are alleged victims of crimes and receive support, crisis intervention, and referrals for treatment, working to help reduce the trauma associated with abuse and crimes, and reducing the trauma for children having to repeat their stories in the event a case must work through the criminal justice system.

“The Children’s Place has an important mission-ending child abuse and neglect. We’ve done it for 25 years, and we’ve served over 5,000 kids, and that’s pretty amazing. Right now, we’re averaging 300-320 kids a year,” says Sturgeon.

Wells says she is proud to be working with The Children’s Place and says it has been rewarding work.

“I’m really excited, and The Children’s Place-I didn’t know it existed, so I’m excited about what they’re doing over there and they are God-sent. They are angels on Earth.”

Please report any instances of known or suspected child abuse and neglect by immediately calling 911 or your local police department, along with the Office of Children’s Services at 1-800-478-4444.

For more information about The Children’s Place, please visit www.thechildrens-place.org/