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Community Corner

The Center for Alexandria's Children Plants a Pinwheel Garden to Symbolize Hope for Abused Children


Alexandria, VA, April 22--The Center for Alexandria’s Children joined in a nationwide public awareness campaign that puts a new spin on child abuse prevention when it planted a Pinwheel Garden today at its office on North Beauregard Street.

The pinwheel, the national symbol of Child Abuse Prevention and an uplifting symbol of childhood, represents the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia to demonstrate the importance of ensuring healthy, happy and full lives for all children in our community.

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Members of the Center’s Multidisciplinary Team, including City detectives, social workers, therapists and attorneys, joined together to plant 40 pinwheels to honor Alexandria children who have been harmed and thrived despite adversity. The garden serves as a symbol of hope and resilience as well as a visual reminder that all children deserve a healthy, happy, and carefree childhood, free from abuse and neglect.

“Campaigns like Pinwheels for Prevention help shine a light on the importance of protecting all children,“ Center Executive Director Giselle Pelaez said.  “Innovative programs that lay the foundation for child safety, growth and development assist children in building resiliency and reduces the likelihood of ongoing serious problems as they grow and become adults.  Ensuring the healthy development of all children is a building block for a strong community.”

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The Center for Alexandria’s Children is a public-private partnership that protects children and strengthens families by utilizing a national Child Advocacy Center model that coordinates the investigation, prosecution, treatment and prevention of child abuse in one safe, child-friendly facility.  The Center’s primary goal is to eliminate child abuse in the City of Alexandria.

For more information about the Center visit:  www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org.

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