SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan has several events planned to spread awareness in the community.

To kick off the month, the group will be “planting” a pinwheel garden (which is the national symbol for child abuse prevention) as a staff, outside of their office to represent the children they serve, staff members said.

The group is also offering several “Darkness to Light – Stewards of Children” trainings throughout the month of April. These are free and open to any adult interested in learning more about recognizing, preventing and responding to cases of child sexual abuse, according to staff.

The trainings run two hours and will include group discussion, a work book to take home, an informational video and a certificate of participation These trainings are very informative for anyone who works with children or is just interested in better protecting the children in their life, said staff.

The dates for these trainings are as follows:

• 9 to 11 a.m. — April 11

• 9 to 11 a.m., 6 to 8 p.m. — April 17

• 6 to 8 p.m. — April 29

Participants must call or email at least one business day in advance to reserve a spot in the training, space is limited, (269) 556-9640 or akiblercampbell@swmichigancac.org.

If someone cannot attend a training, but still wants to help the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan in its mission to prevent child abuse, the group, from 6 to 9 p.m. April 18, at Journeyman Distillery, the group will host a “Spring Spirits” fundraiser to help support a Abuse Prevention Program at the CAC. Tickets are $50 ahead of time or $55 at the door and include appetizers and drink tasting pairings. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit: swmichigancac.org/events.

April 25 is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day. On this day, the group is asking everyone in its community to wear something blue to represent Child Abuse Prevention Awareness. The organization will be asking local schools to participate in this event by posting photos of their staff and students in their blue colors to their social media pages and tag the @Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan on Facebook.