Youth council, middle schools working to prevent child abuse through joint project

Published 8:06 am Wednesday, April 7, 2004

By Staff
Cass County Youth Council, comprised of many county agencies and individuals interested in child welfare, raises funds and disburses grants for projects and programs that help children.
One fundraising project the council is working on, inspired by the annual U93 Roof Sit in June, is called "Chair-ish the Children Project."
Many roof sits across the country have adopted this project, which involves creating an artful child's chair to be auctioned off at the roof sit event.
The roof sit will be at Martin's Supermarket on Ironwood and S.R. 23 in South Bend, Ind., again this year from June 21-25.
More than 200 Cass County middle school students in grades 6-8 from Edwardsburg Middle School, Dowagiac's Patrick Hamilton Middle School and Central Middle School, Cassopolis Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School and Marcellus Middle School signed their names to a child's chair and participated in an activity that helped them understand the power and privilege of their signatures. Educational Talent Search at Southwestern Michigan College sponsored the project and middle school advisor Deane Suddon obtained the bent wood chair from Ebay. The students named the chair "Kids Care Chair." The chair will be turned over to the council in April, Child Abuse Prevention Month. Council members are also working on other chairs for the project as well as baskets and other auction items.
On March 31 Governor Grandholm, Marianne Udow, FIA Director, and a number of state level partners joined together to kick off the month of April with a press conference where Governor Grandholm issued a proclamation and highlighted the 3 major themes of Child Abuse Prevention Month. "Turn the Light on Prevention, (porch lights and auto lights are turned on for the month)," The Blue Ribbon Campaign, (the Cass County Youth Council is participating in this project) and "Blue Sunday" on April 4 in which churches are encouraged to address the situation during their Sunday sermons.
The membership voted to join the Blue Ribbon Campaign, promoted by the Children's Trust Fund which began as a tribute to a battered grandchild, by the Virginia child's grandmother. Members will be distributing blue ribbons throughout the month and also during the year to raise community awareness of battered children and help stop child abuse. The council will also offer blue ribbons for small donations at the U93 Roof sit. All proceeds from items donated by the council will come back to Cass County through the committee for child welfare.
Another Fund Raising cooperative effort was discussed and approved by the general council where the council will sell tickets to the Star Light Series of events held at Southwestern Michigan College. The college will give a portion of the proceeds back to the council, Ilene Crouse, executive director of Community Services said. The first event that the council will sell tickets for is "The Spencers" Theatre of Illusion. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 20 in the Lyons Theatre on the SMC campus.
A grant in the amount of $2500 was awarded to the Youth Club of Cass County on March 12 at the general meeting. Debbie Wiggins, secretary and one of the founding members of the club, attended and answered questions about the new facility. The club is located in the former Haymarket Antique Barn near the Council on Aging. The building and grounds are provided for the club by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The club is open Tuesdays from 3:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from noon until 6 p.m. The club's grand opening took place October 25th, 2003 and the attendance, according to Wiggins, has steadily risen since that time. It is hoped that soon the club will be open on a daily basis, she said. The granted money will help the club buy some needed equipment such as a microwave oven, DVD/VCR player and possibly a pool table. The club offers computers for students use, tutors to help with homework, and many other interesting child centered activities as well. The entire council agreed that Cass County needs positive places such as this. Dowagiac has a successful program in PAL (Police Athletic League), which serves local kids in Dowagiac. The Cass County Youth Club near Cassopolis, the council felt, was equally vital for the youth of that area.
The Cass County Youth Council represents agencies and individuals who are involved with, or interested in, the welfare of children. The council meets the 3rd Friday of each month. Due to Good Friday, however, in April the council will meet a week later, on April 16. The meeting is always at Zeke's Restaurant in Downtown Dowagiac from 11:30 until about 1 pm. Visitors are welcome to come for just a meeting or to join the organization.
Remember: EVERYONE CAN HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Wear a blue ribbon to show your support.