Pavalock Advocates for Child Abuse Awareness
Marks 20th anniversary, tours Bristol Hospital’s Parent and Child Center
BRISTOL – State Rep. Cara Pavalock (R-77) recently joined Bristol Hospital in working to raise awareness about child abuse. Rep. Pavalock attended the recently attended the Bristol Hospital’s Parent and Child Center lighting ceremony of the “Blue Ribbon Tree” located in the center’s Community Garden to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse ahead of National Child Abuse Awareness month. During the ceremony, Pavalock presented a citation on behalf of the General Assembly in recognition of the continued efforts of the Bristol Parent and Child Center to prevent child abuse and neglect, and also to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Parent and Child Center’s founding by the Bristol and Farmington Exchange Club in conjunction with Bristol Hospital.
“It is vital that we, as a community, do all we can to assist in the prevention of child abuse and neglect”, said Rep. Pavalock. “The amazing work being done by those at the Bristol Parent and Child Center to educate and assist parents and families in our community has been an invaluable resource. There is much work to be done and I look forward to supporting their efforts.”
The ‘Blue Ribbon Tree’, located in the Parent and Child Center’s Community Garden at the corner of Main St. and Prospect St. in Bristol, is lit by 687 glowing blue lights, each representing the number of child abuse and neglect cases, reported in Bristol, and surrounding towns, during 2015. Following the tree lighting, Pavalock was given a tour of the Parent and Child Center by Director, Kimberly Carmelich.
The Bristol Parent and Child Center focuses on the prevention of child abuse, neglect and family violence by providing families with support systems and programs designed to target areas that are crucial to developing strong, nurturing families.
For more information, visit www.bristolhospital.org/Services/Parent-and-Child-Center.
###