PSCA: Special Projects

Junior League Signature Project

The Junior League of Sarasota works closely with the Child Protection Center in the planning of many events during the month of April to showcase their signature project, the "Paint the Town Blue" campaign.  “Paint the Town Blue” is a month long initiative to bring awareness and prevention of child abuse to the forefront and to make a positive difference in our community, leading the way to end this abuse.

Blue ribbons are placed all over downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and other nearby locations during the month of April which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The goal of this month-long initiative is to bring awareness of child abuse to the community.

The blue ribbon campaign originated in 1989, when a Virginia grandmother tied a blue ribbon to her car antenna is memory of her grandson who had been beaten to death by his mother's abusive boyfried. The blue ribbon has since become the national symbol for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The Junior League's "Paint the Town Blue" campaign includes:

1. Educating the community through painting the town blue not only with ribbons, but with blue paint inside pediatrician's offices, libraries, businesses, health centers and schools.
2. A Child Advocacy Luncheon which honors those who are dedicated to protecting children.
3. Internet safety awareness to avoid cyber bullying.
4. A donation by the Junior League to the Child Protection Center
5. The training of Junior League members by Child Protection Center staff to observe interaction between the children who are removed from their homes and parents.
   

The Junior League of Sarasota is in the third year of its three-year Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention Signature Project. The League played a key role in the development of the new Child Advocacy Center in downtown Sarasota. The Junior League of Sarasota worked with the Child Protection Center on projects including Internet Safety Education, Child Abuse Prevention Education, Supervised Visitation, a Luncheon and a Playground at the facility.

By adopting the Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention Signature Project, the Junior League of Sarasota remains a leading force and recognized leader in making a significant difference in the lives of children and families in Sarasota County.

For more information about this Signature Project and the Junior League visit  www.jlsarasota.org

BAANK

BAANK is a group of Believers Against Abuse and Neglect of Kids.

This group was founded with the goal to unify and educate the members of the faith-based community in Sarasota county about services available to families at risk and opportunities for believers to serve in the fight against the Abuse and Neglect of Kids.

They also help educate and support foster families, prospective foster families and adoptive families so that they might find the resources and information they need to effectively provide care for Abused and  Neglected Kids.  

For more information about this project, visit www.baankcentral.com.



*PSCA programs have been approved by the school district for presentation in the Sarasota County Public Schools.