CULLMAN, Ala. – The Link of Cullman County will be hosting a Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention event on Friday, April 1 to kick off Child Abuse Awareness month. The community is invited to attend the event at the Link office (708 9th St SE, Cullman, AL 35055) beginning at 11:00 a.m. Between 11-11:45 a.m. there will be a meet and greet with lite refreshments. The Link’s Vice Chairman and Daystar Church outreach pastor Chris Hopper will speak on raising awareness and recognizing signs of child abuse.
At noon, first responders present will “sound the sirens” for a moment of reflection. Melissa Betts said, “The sirens are to remember the children whose cries were not heard and to remind us to be listening to the ones who are signaling for help.”
The Link is an Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Children’s Trust Fund recipient. They have received over $40,000 of grant money from the fund this year to assist with their parenting and fatherhood initiative programs. Betts said, “The first grant from the Children’s Trust Fund was in 2021 just for parenting and we’ve seen such a huge need to add that fatherhood component to parenting. We teach those locally at The Link as well as in the county detention, and with several private recovery homes.”
They offer classes as a preventative measure against child abuse and neglect in an effort to provide skills to parents no matter their situation. Classes are provided specifically for fathers who may not live in the home with their child perform their role as a parent with confidence. The Link allows parents to learn to raise responsible and productive children through their example.
The new fatherhood and parenting program terms will start in April. To sign up, participants can call the Link at 256-775-0028 or visit their website: https://linkingcullman.org/family-programs/.
The Link of Cullman County endeavors to support its community with providing impowering relationships. Literacy, financial and parenting classes are among many other services. The Link offers resources for community needs with housing referrals, utility assistance and two food pantries.
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