Blue Ribbon CampaignIn the spring of 1989, Bonnie Finney of Norfolk, Virginia tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van as a sign to her community of her personal battle against child abuse. Bonnie's three year old grandson, Michael "Bubba" Dickenson, had died of injuries inflicted by her daughter's violent boyfriend. In Bonnie's words: "The blue ribbon serves as a constant reminder...to fight for protection for our children. We must protect our most precious gift...our children. Please wear a blue ribbon...put one on your car...give one to your friends...tell them what it means...you may change a child's life."
The spirit of the Blue Ribbon Campaign has since spread, and is now honored nationwide during the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each year, over 4,000 children in Solano County are reported abused or neglected to Child Protective Services. These children faces challenges that no child deserves, and young people who have experienced abuse may grow into adults who are self-destructive and damaging to our communities. To help all children become healthy and happy adults, parents and caregivers must provide them with love, security, emotional support, and a strong connection to their extended families and communities. To help ensure the safety and well being of our children, we must all be committed to supporting and strengthening families. Anything we do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect. Communities throughout Solano County recognize these children with the Blue Ribbon Campaign each April with special community events as a reminder to renew our commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens from harm throughout the year. We urge you to help make a difference in the lives of Solano County's most precious resource -- our children. You can become more involved by supporting child advocacy groups, legislation, and other efforts designed to protect children in California and across the country. Just think what could happen if each one of us helped spread the word to a few people we come in contact with each day. The groundswell of support that would follow just might be enough to move us towards the day when our homes, our schools, and our communities are safe for our children. Please help us make Solano County a place where is doesn't hurt to be a child. The Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council c/o The Children's Network
2320 Courage Drive, Suite 107, Fairfield, CA 94533 |