Macon County Mayor Steve Jones signed a proclamation on Tuesday, April 6, declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. He is pictured with Macon County Clerk Connie Blackwell, Suzanne Salyer-Stephens Center Healthy Families, Scott Ridgway-Executive Director of the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center, and Julie Vantrease-Compliance Officer & Director of Social Services at Macon Community Hospital.

The Child Abuse Prevention Pinwheel Garden is displayed on the front lawn of Citizens Bank during the month of April, and the pinwheels represent children who were served at the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center. This is to acknowledge that abuse happens in our backyard and to our children. For every Pinwheel, there is a child who has survived or is surviving the trauma of abuse. It is everyone’s responsibility to promote awareness of abuse and be the voice of a child!