Pinwheel gardens represent hope, health, and safety for children

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and various organizations in Newport News plan to bring awareness to the issue with pinwheel gardens. The pinwheels on display serve as the national symbol representing hope, health, and safety for children.

In recognition of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, Healthy Families & Parents as Teachers Community Advisory Board is hosting a Silent Children’s Garden. The opening ceremony is Wednesday, April 12th at 6 p.m. at Boulevard Park on the corner of Warwick and J. Clyde Morris Boulevard to promote child abuse prevention. Blue and white pinwheels are on display in the Garden from April 12th - April 24th.

Join children and families at the ceremony as they view the presentation of Colors by the Menchville High School ROTC, enjoy entertainment by Hampton Roads Academy’s Tradewinds Chorus, and hear comments from local elected officials. Dr. Deena Obrokta from CHKD’s Liberty Pediatrics is serving as guest speaker.

Mini gardens have been planned city-wide. More than 1500 pinwheels have been distributed for use in gardens located at First United Methodist Church on Main Street, Faith Community Church, Temple Sinai as well as display a number of schools, other faith-based organizations, and the Harwood House in the historic North End of Newport News.

To learn more about the pinwheel project and child abuse prevention in Virginia, please visit Prevent Child Abuse Virginia.

The Newport News Healthy Families and Parents as Teachers are part of the Newport News Department of Human Services and provide home visitation services. The programs are nationally recognized home visiting models that aim to prevent child abuse and neglect and help children enter school ready to learn. To learn more about home visitation services, please visit the Home Visitation Services web site.