THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOG POSTINGS I HAVE EVER MADE: OUR CHILDREN DEPEND ON US HAVING THIS KNOWLEDGE

Be part of the discussion, KIDS MATTER.


We see it too often on the front page of the newspaper and now it even headlines the evening news - the nationally recognized research indicates the tragedy of Child Sexual Abuse is scarring children. Did you know that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday?

This crime against our most vulnerable is even harder to understand when you realize that 90% of victims know their abuser. While the recent allegation within our own South Orange/Maplewood community brings this issue home in a startling way, the reality is, it is happening to many other children in our neighborhoods and families.

The problem of child sexual abuse is complicated and multi-faceted. One of the most proactive and practical approaches to diminishing child sexual abuse
is to educate responsible adults in our community by providing tools to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

In our community, we know that KIDS MATTER. The South Mountain YMCA, in partnership with the volunteers of Y TOGETHERHOOD, South Orange Rotary, Maplewood South Orange Kiwanis and Assemblyman John McKeon, invite EVERY member of our community to join us in taking a step to eliminate this tragedy and make a difference in the life of a child.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the South Mountain YMCA is offering a FREE, evidence-based training on April 12, 2015 at The Woodland at 60 Woodland Road, in Maplewood. We will be providing a FREE interactive Mad Science show (for children ages 3 and above) to help support your attendance. Please consider joining us for this important initiative and share with others.
A flier is linked HERE with all information and online registration. Here is also a link for your convenience - www.metroymcas.org/preventnow Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you!

Tommy Donaldson and Jeff Goldsmith
Program Director Togetherhood Committee Chairman
SOUTH MOUNTAIN YMCA
973 762 0183 tdonaldson@metroymcas.org


The Y is accessible to all people. Financial assistance is available to
individuals and families when they need us most.

Mark Slade
www.lovetoliveinmaplewood.com
917-797-5059