A Clothesline of Love for Parents and Children

Child-sized T-shirts, bibs, and hats, colorfully decorated with messages of love, line the hallway today at BCI Lancaster. The clothesline was part of today’s Children's Celebration, A Blue Ribbon Day for Kids. Clients and their children enjoyed arts and crafts activities and lunch.

The event concluded BCI's month-long celebration of Child Abuse Awareness Month. Other April activities included handouts of information in the waiting room, “Release for Recovery” with nail painting and facials, and a “Get Informed” workshop on Delaware’s resources on child abuse.

In addition to having fun with the art project, today’s participants took away more useful information. “We’re giving out the Child Abuse 800 number they can call,” said Needle Exchange Coordinator Rochelle Booker (pictured above). “Also, we have pamphlets on child abuse and neglect prevention; when a child discloses abuse, how to report it; sexual abuse; and recognizing child abuse – the definition and warning signs.”

The Diamond State Roller Girls stopped by to help out with the event and donated some art supplies. “We like to support anything in the community that’s beneficial, especially that has to do with kids,” said Clinical Supervisor and roller girl Domenica Personti. “We actually have about 7 girls who are all in recovery. So it’s very close to them. A few of them said they wish things like this were taking place when they were getting their lives together, so they could do things with their kids in a safe environment.”

Below, members of our outreach team display some of the artwork created.