Dear Friends,
On this last day of Child Abuse Prevention Month, I hope that you and your family, friends, and colleagues are healthy and well. It’s been a month filled with challenges that have not only tested our resilience as individuals, but as communities.
Throughout April, Safe & Sound has shared news about how COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders have impacted children, families, and communities — from children’s education being interrupted, to parents and caregivers experiencing unemployment and income loss, communities struggling to ensure safety for families, and meeting needs with growing scarcity. Any of these challenges alone are stressful, but combined, significantly increase the risk of child abuse or neglect.
When I think about how critical our work is now, I feel deeply concerned and saddened about the health and safety of children and families, the economic vitality of our community, and the inequities that continue to deepen. But I also feel hope, encouraged by the work of Safe & Sound’s team and volunteers, our government leaders, our partners in the Family Resource Center (FRC) Alliance, and the incredible support of our donor community.
We have truly come together on behalf of vulnerable children and families. We have so many people to thank for support during this month alone. I welcome you to visit our COVID-19 page for a full list of individuals, families, organizations, and government partners who have joined with us to strengthen families and protect children.
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