What the Blue Ribbon Stands For
During the past several years, the blue ribbon has been widely recognized as a national symbol of child abuse prevention. This movement began in the spring of 1989 when a concerned grandmother, Bonnie Finney of Norfolk, VA, took a stand against child abuse after experiencing the death of her grandson. She tied a symbolic blue ribbon to her van as a signal to her community of her personal commitment to involve everyone in the battle to stop child abuse. Every 48 minutes, a child in Louisiana is abused or neglected. Child Advocacy Services (CAS) plans to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month by launching a Blue Ribbon Campaign throughout its service area and the surrounding parishes during the month of April.
How Can I Help Prevent Child Abuse?
- Wear a Blue Ribbon.
- Make a donation for a Blue Ribbon.
- Tell a friend.
- Become a CASA Volunteer!
- Speak to a group about preventing child abuse.
- Inform your local and state leaders.
- Write a news article.
Children's Art Contest Judging 2013
Our Lady of the Lake Livingston in Walker hosted the judging for the Child Advocacy Services Children's Art Contest. Through our partnership with Livingston Parish School System, fourth and fifth grade students at Eastside Elementary School in Denham Springs were educated about what child abuse is and the significance of the Blue Ribbon. Leaders and community partners from throughout Livingston Parish were asked to make the very difficult selections from 129 pieces of inspiring and heartwarming artwork depicting a powerful voice for children who are victims of child abuse and neglect. It was very evident that the children understood how important it is to stop child abuse and make sure that children have a safe home. Their participation in the Children's Art Campaign succeeded in raising the awareness level for all children across Livingston Parish. Many others stopped by to view the artwork and let us know their favorites. Child Advocacy Services staff and board members were on hand to provide education and awareness about the agency, its programs, and prevention education.Child Advocacy Services applauds the leaders and community members of Livingston Parish for lifting up the voice and lives of the children in our community so that they too will be heard during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and every day. Judges for this event were Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks, Danny Paline (Owner, Five Star Printing), Leesha Gleeber (Marketing Director for Livingston Parish News), Brooke LeBlanc Knight (Owner/Director of Marketing for LeBlanc’s Food Stores), Todd Price (Stine Lumber Company), Ashley Rivere (Senior Marketing Representative at Amerigroup), Raelyn McAdams (Stine Lumber), Lisa Casas (Lisa McLin Casas CPA/Child Advocacy Services Board President), Betsy Otken Barnes (FA-KOURI Construction), Margot May (Associate Publisher, Ascension & Livingston Business Journal), Jill Wyble (Director of Business Development at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital), Brian McNabb (District Director for US Congressman Bill Cassidy), Donna Erdey (representing Marshall Jerry Denton), Jonathan Whitman (Livingston Parish Rotary President-elect/Livingston Parish Chamber Board of Directors), Sherry Mely (Livingston Iberia Bank Branch Manager), John Wyble (Director of Louisiana CASA and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Louisiana), and Michael Verrett (Director of Denham Springs Fine Art Association).
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Children's Artwork 2012
Each year, elementary students from a selected school within the Child Advocacy Services service area are educated about what child abuse and neglect is and asked to create an original work of art to represent their interpretation of what they have learned. A contest is held and the overall winning artwork is used on the cover of the annual CAS calendar. Twelve other winners are selected and featured in the calendar as well. The overall winner becomes the showcase art to be used in a poster that is given as recognition to community members and donors for their continued support. The artwork shown here was created by 4th graders at Baines Elementary School in St. Francisville. Winners are Ashlyn (overall), Anne, Callie, Claire, Hayden, Jalyn, Jenna, Joyce, Madison, Maliya, Olivia, Rae' Lencia, and Rebecca. Our thanks to these students and their teachers for participating in this project.For more information on how your school can participate in this annual event, please contact Donna Bliss at 800-798-1575.
The Blue Ribbon Campaign
Each year, we distribute hundreds of blue ribbons in supporting children and families to prevent child abuse and neglect. The blue ribbon is a positive symbol of the need to do one's best when it comes to children and families. See the attached flyer for some additional ways you can get involved in our campaign.
The Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse and NeglectCAS Welcomes Sponsors
Origami Blue Ribbon
Print the instructions below to create your own Blue Ribbon.Origami Blue Ribbon
