April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month in Pueblo County and many other communities across the nation.
This month, advocates and organizations come together to raise awareness, provide resources, and recognize families and their stories. The theme for this year’s CAP Month is “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,” emphasizing the importance of creating safe, loving and healthy environments for children and families.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pueblo hosted its 19th annual Cherish the Child event on April 3 in honor of CAP Month. CASA is a network of 18 local organizations across Colorado, working to improve the lives of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Zane Grant, executive director of CASA of Pueblo, launched the Cherish the Child event in 2003 by bringing together five agencies on the steps of the Pueblo County Courthouse to mark the beginning of the CAP Month locally. The event has grown significantly since partnering with the Pueblo Mall 17 years ago, allowing for more space for activities and agency participation. Despite a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event continues to expand each year.
This year, 20 child-serving agencies participated in the event, offering things such as resources, information and family-friendly giveaways. Participating organizations included the Pueblo Child Advocacy Center, Pueblo Community Health Center, Children First, Bridges Child Placement Agency, and many more.
“We have a lot of children, unfortunately, in our community who go through the court system every year because of abuse or neglect,” Grant said. “This event is to raise awareness and help people know what they need to do if they are concerned about a child’s welfare.”
Acknowledging the sensitive nature of the issue, Grant emphasized making the event engaging and welcoming for children. One of this year’s activities included a table bingo card that children could complete for a chance to win summer-themed prizes, board games and other fun family-friendly items.
“We just wanted this to be a fun and safe fair for children in particular,” he added.
The Mariposa Center for Safety, formerly known as the YWCA of Pueblo, also participated at this year’s event. The center oversees Teresa’s Place Child Safety Exchange and supports victims of domestic violence.
Nicole Ferguson, executive director of the Mariposa Center, reflected on the importance of events such as this.
“Visibility is really important, especially so the community knows what resources are available to them and where they can turn if they need help,” Ferguson said.
The evening also featured live performances by local music groups, including the Pueblo Children’s Chorale, Avondale Elementary’s Treble Makers, and the Midnight Riot Brass Band from Central High School.
Between performances, Pueblo County Commissioners Miles Lucero and Paula McPheeters, who represented the 1st and 2nd Districts respectively, joined Pueblo City Councilman Joe Latino in presenting an official proclamation that recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pueblo County.
“In 2024, 954 child maltreatment assessments were completed in our community,” McPheeters said. “Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that affect every segment of our community. Finding solutions requires action and collaboration from all of us because our children are our the most valuable assets.”
Grant emphasized that the heart of the Cherish the Child event is to remind the public of their shared responsibility.
“This event is just a reminder that we all have an obligation to protect our children in our community — and this is how we do it,” he said.
