HOLLYWOOD — Members of the community and employees filled the street with blue April 10 to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month during the community walk, which was organized by the advocacy program.

The guardianship and advocacy department and health education department set up booths and handed out goodies, like wind wheels, healthy snacks and bracelets. The walk concluded with an ice cream social.
Shamika Beasley, assistant director for the advocacy program, said she has a motto that all children deserve to be loved and nurtured and live in a safe home.

“This event is important because, unfortunately, in the field that I work in – which is child welfare – that doesn’t happen for all children,” she said. “So, we want to make sure that within the tribal community, we’re spreading awareness of how important it is to pour into your children. But not only that, to recognize signs of abuse.”

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Beasley said a goal of the event is to raise awareness about the subject and prevention steps. Multiple departments and community members attended.