By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E) – A number of organizations participated in the Rotunda Rally last week to raise awareness about alcohol addiction, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault.
The joint event was held Wednesday at the Līhu‘e Civic Center, Mo‘ikeha rotunda in recognition of April being National Alcohol Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Nearly everyone in attendance wore blue as a symbol of their commitment to support child abuse and prevention month. The Wear Blue Day tradition was started in 1989 by a grandmother in Virginia whose three-year-old grandson died at the hands of his mother’s abusive boyfriend.
Representatives of a number of community organizations came together last week for the Rotunda Rally to raise awareness about alcohol addiction, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault.
“In the spirit of breaking down silos, we believe that we can make a difference in the lives of young children and their families by supporting each other,” said Theresa Koki, Life Choices Kaua‘i coordinator. “Our community partners have committed to work collaboratively on the challenges faced by our families and to look for opportunities that affect change on the social conditions that bring about those challenges.”
Participants in the united effort include: state Department of Education, Mauka to Makai Bully Free Kaua‘i; Friends of Children’s Justice Center; KCC Pau Violence and Wellness Center; Kaua‘i District Health Office, Family Health Services; Kaua‘i Police Department; Life Bridges; Life’s Choices Kaua‘i; Līhu‘e Town Court; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney; SANE; and the YWCA of Kaua‘i.
Other events and activities planned for April to raise awareness about community issues include the following:
- Build a Pinwheel Garden campaign – Thursday, April 9, Historic County Building. Contact Sheryl at 241-3428.
- Parent-Child Fair – Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kukui Grove Center. Contact Cathy at 246-0622.
- Alcohol Sticker Shock campaign – Friday, April 17, various locations. Contact Theresa at 241-4925.
- Children’s Justice Center annual Open House – Friday, April 17, 3 to 4 p.m. Contact Jessell at 246-0923.
- YWCA’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – Wednesday, April 22, 5 to 7 p.m., Kukui Grove Center. Contact the YWCA at 245-5959.
- Everybody Wear Denim Day – Thursday, April 23. Contact Patricia at 346-7492.
- YWCA’s Stand Against Racism – Friday, April 24. Contact the YWCA.
For more information about Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, please contact Koki at 241-4925 or tkoki@kauai.gov.