Children’s Center Victim advocate Hannah Nelson ties a blue awareness ribbon onto law enforcement vehicles in honor of April being Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – County leaders and members of the law enforcement community joined the staff of the Campbell County Children’s Center on Monday morning for a ceremony kicking off April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The county mayor, along with mayors from local municipalities, joined the center’s staff for the event. 

County Mayor Jack Lynch, LaFollette Mayor Cliff Jennings and Caryville Mayor Bobby Stooksbury read proclamations in honor of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. 

Law enforcement gathered in support of the Campbell County Children’s Center on Monday morning.

“The Children’s Center is something we need dearly. It’s very important, and the staff here does a wonderful job,” LaFollette Mayor Cliff Jennings said. 

Jennings then read the proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.

“Whereas children are vital to our state’s future success, it’s prosperity and quality of life, as well as being our most vulnerable assets. Whereas all children deserve to have safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities that they need to foster their healthy growth and development and Whereas child abuse awareness is a community responsibility and finding solutions depends on the involvement of all of our citizens,” Jennings read.

Caryville Mayor Bobby Stooksbury and County Mayor Jack Lynch presented proclamations as well that read the same.

“Our children are our most vulnerable of all citizens, and we need to protect them,” Stooksbury said.

The county mayor echoed these sentiments.

“Let’s keep supporting the Campbell County Children’s Center and turn up in number for all the events that are coming up this month,” Lynch said. 

Children’s Center CEO Tracie Davis thanked all present for their support of the center’s efforts to help area children in need. 

She reported that over the past year the Children’s Center served 198 children whose lives had been impacted by abuse or neglect. 

Community leaders and law enforcement members joined the staff of the Campbell County Children’s Center on Monday morning to kick off April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Campbell County.

“We appreciate the continued support as we continue serving the children of Campbell County. We are grateful for the help of law enforcement, the judicial system and local government. We all come together to serve the children; we all have the same goal and for that I am grateful for their support,” Davis said.

Davis also said she “looked forward to seeing everyone” at the upcoming fundraiser luncheon. 

The 14th annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon will be Fri., April 14 at the Ball Farm Event Center. Doors open at 11:30 am, and the event is from noon till 1pm. The theme for this year’s event is Every Child is “practically perfect in every way.”

This year’s speaker is Congressman Tim Burchett.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available for this year’s luncheon. Call 423.562.4190 for more information.

Keep an eye out on the center’s Facebook page for more updates. Also check Facebook for the Children’s Center’s “wish list” which will have items posted that the center may need to help with children transitioning homes and custody such as new clothing, hygiene items and more.

“Some of these kids may not have anything when they come into our care, so these donations and items go a long way in getting them what they need,” Davis said.

She also thanked her board of directors and the Children’s Center’s staff for all they do.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s support and efforts, as I say each year, it truly takes a village to help these kids. There are so many people working behind the scenes to make all this happen,” Davis said.  

The Campbell County Children’s Center is a child advocacy center that was founded in 2001 to provide a safe haven for sexually and physically abused children. Instead of being interviewed countless times at different locations, a child can tell their story to one caring and specially trained professional in a child-friendly environment where the child knows he or she will be safe.  The Children Center’s main office is in Campbell County with satellite offices in Claiborne and Union counties.

For more information, visit the Children’s Center website or Facebook @CampbellCountyChildrensCenter or call 423.562.4190. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/04/2023-6AM)