Child abuse intervention center works to raise awareness, funds

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Colman Crocker, prevention program manager at Juliette’s House child abuse intervention center, right, delivers a pot of blue pinwheels to Brady Martin for display at Two Dogs Taphouse. Businesses and organizations are displaying blue pinwheels to promote National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Juliette’s House has several activities planned, including a free community training in child abuse awareness on April 16.

Juliette’s House, the Yamhill County child abuse intervention center, will host several activities to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April — including a special blue marble treasure hunt and the 30th annual Celebrate the Children fundraiser on April 25.

Blue is the color for Child Abuse Prevention, said Elizabeth Schrader, director of philanthropic impact at Juliette’s House.

The aim of the blue month is to highlight Juliette’s House year-round mission to help children by providing services and reducing the frequency of child abuse and child sexual abuse, Schrader said.

The Yamhill County intervention center works with about 300 kids a year, ranging in age from preschoolers through teens. Working with local law enforcement agencies and the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office, the center interviews and provides a variety of services.

The agency receives some of its money through the state and raises funds to cover the rest. This year, Schrader said, state funding is expected to be down 42 percent because of changes at the federal level. This increases fundraising needs, she said.

At the same time, she said, business and individual donations are down. Because of the national economy and the increasing funding needs of every nonprofit, donors are stretched thin, she said.

Another effort during Child Abuse Prevention Month, and throughout the year, is to raise awareness of the signs of child abuse and child sexual abuse, so adults can better recognize potential issues and can report them.

A free training course will be offered Wednesday, April 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Juliette’s House, 1075 S.W. Cedarwood Ave., McMinnville. Preregistration is requested at the website, www.julietteshouse.org.

In addition to training adults, the intervention center also offers “Safe Kids” training for school children throughout the county.

All month, businesses will “host” blue pinwheels to remind community members about the continuing need for prevention and treatment of victims of abuse.

This year, instead of the large pinwheels clustered on lawns around the county, businesses will host small blue pinwheels in flower pots, Schrader said. Customers and employees may see the pinwheels on front desks or in other places within the businesses.

Additional businesses will offer “blue” specials during April to raise awareness and funds.

- Accessory Appeal will donate 10% of sales during April.

- Carlton Corners will offer a “Blue Burger” to promote the month.

- Two Dogs Tap House will donate $1 per glass sold of their top three brews.

- Common Cup Coffee & Waffle Bar in Amity will sell a blue waffle.

- Flag & Wire Coffee will donate for coffee drinks.

- Humble Spirit will donate for sales of craft cocktails.

The treasure hunt will take place throughout Yamhill County, with 10 large blue marbles specially made by Newberg Glass Studio, operated by Ben Smith.

Marbles will be hidden in various communities — Carlton and Sheridan on April 1; Newberg on April 8; Sheridan and Willamina on April 15; Amity and Dundee on April 22; and McMinnville on April 23 and 24. Juliette’s House’s social media pages will provide clues about where to find them.

Supporters of Child Abuse Prevention Month also will be wearing special T-shirts designed by a Dundee Elementary School student who won a countywide design contest.

While most of the shirts have already been sold, a few may be available for purchase Friday, when Juliette’s House hosts the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters program.

The annual motorcycle ride against child abuse will not be held during April, but will be a separate, larger event later this year.

In addition, Juliette’s House will cap off April with its 30th annual fundraising event, Celebrate the Children, on Friday, April 25.

Celebrate the Children will run from 5 to 10 p.m. at Abbey Road Farm, 10280 N.E. Oak Springs Farm Road, just east of Carlton.

The evening will include presentations about child abuse prevention and the work Juliette’s House is doing, along with dinner, live entertainment and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are available for $150 each at the website, www.julietteshouse.org.

For more information, call 503-435-1550.