YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley                                            

Holly Panebianco, Regional Childcare Director

hollyp@ymcatrivalley.org

            YMCA Joins Five Days of Action Campaign to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and as part of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley’s commitment to protecting the children in our community, we are participating in the Five Days of Action - a week-long campaign, April 15-19, to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower us all to prevent it.

“By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing measures to keep children in our care safe year-round, the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley is committing to the safety of all children in our community,” said Holy Panebianco, Regional Childcare Director.   

The awareness campaign focuses on three areas: Know, See, and Respond:

Know:
KNOWingthe facts about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. Learn more about different types of abuse, the signs and how you can help at https://www.childhelphotline.org

See:
Media and technology are at the center of children’s lives every day. With more of life happening online, what catches their attention isn’t always what’s best for them. As a parent or caregiver, you may SEE a child interacting with media daily and you can be equipped with the tools and resources to make sure any environment (including online) is free from any abuse. Learn more at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/online-safety.

Respond:
How can you RESPOND to the call to help prevent child sexual abuse? As a parent or caregiver, you may know it is important to talk about it, but you may not know what to say or when to say it. Committee for Children has created the Hot Chocolate Talk Campaign, packing decades of research into easy-to-use guides to help you begin these crucial conversations – at any age, from toddler to teen. Visit https://www.cfchildren.orgto learn more and empower your child to report and refuse sexual abuse.

The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley is committed to year-round prevention, and we hope you are, too! To take part in the Five Days of Action campaign, visit the YMCA welcome desk at either the Oneida branch, 701 Seneca Street, or Rome branch at 301 W. Bloomfield Street and sign a pledge card.

Stay connected and informed by visiting www.ymcatrivalley.org

The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley serves the greater Rome, Oneida and Whitesboro areas with programs and services for the whole family.  We are a 501c3 charitable non-profit organization with two primary branches in Rome and Oneida and school-age childcare in the Whitesboro area. The Y’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

PHOTO CAPTION:

YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley employees Randy St. John and Steven St. John have pledged to take action and protect children from sexual abuse. The Oneida and Rome branches of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley invite you visit either branch to sign a pledge card and join them in the 5 Days of Action Campaign beginning Monday, April 15.