Wear blue for kids April 19

The Children’s Advocacy Centers in Louisiana would like to see lots of people wearing blue on April 19.

Mount Carmel Sister Mary Ellen Wheelahan, safe environment coordinator for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, said blue is the color for child abuse prevention.

This year, the archdiocese and local nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), such as Hope House in Covington and the Jefferson and New Orleans Advocacy Centers, are participating in the statewide effort by encouraging others to wear blue on this day.

Lorrie Brennan, program coordinator for the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Hope House in Covington, said this is the first time the state has had an official day set aside for child abuse prevention. Brennan said State Sen. Cameron Henry of Jefferson Parish introduced the resolution establishing April 19 as CAC Day in Louisiana. Gov. John Bel Edward’s wife, Donna, also has championed efforts in recent years to eradicate human trafficking.

Brennan said Catholic schools and archdiocesan organizations are encouraged to wear blue to support the effort. Brennan said she knows of several northshore businesses who are erecting pinwheel gardens and signs in support.

“Most people don’t know April is national Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month,” Brennan said. “The more people we can spread the word to the better. One day all will know that April is indeed time to spread awareness that we must protect our children from abuse.”

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