Macon Launches Georgia's Largest Community-Wide Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Initiative

PRNewswire/ -- Macon launched its community-wide child sexual abuse prevention initiative on Saturday with huge success. Hosted by the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, "Macon A Difference" held at the Macon Train Terminal kicked off the state's most comprehensive community-wide Darkness to Light training initiative to date. More than 200 people turned out to take a stand against child sexual abuse, and nearly 100 people signed up for Darkness to Light training.

"We were thrilled to see such a large turnout from the Macon community on Saturday," said Nancy Chandler, CEO of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. "With such an initial strong show of support, we are confident we will reach our goal of training 6,000 adults in Macon by the end of 2009, and one million Georgians by 2020."

Frank Malloy of WMAZ-13 opened the event with facts about child sexual abuse and introduced Bibb County Schools Superintendent Sharon Patterson who discussed the importance of the Darkness to Light training initiative to the faculty and staff of Macon schools. Georgia Center for Child Advocacy CEO Nancy Chandler spoke to attendees about the importance of getting adults trained on preventing child sexual abuse, and presented a proclamation signed by Mayor Robert Reichert declaring Sept. 13 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Day in Macon. Attendees not only participated in the free Darkness to Light training and signed up for future trainings, but also pledged their support to protect children by signing a banner which will remain on display in Macon at The Medical Center of Central Georgia.

The Darkness to Light training curriculum educates adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Georgia Center hopes to motivate more and more adults throughout the state to sign-up for the training in order to recognize and prevent instances of child sexual abuse.

"The Macon community has proven its commitment to protecting its children from sexual abuse," said Chandler. "The next step in stopping child sexual abuse in Georgia is for every city to follow Macon's lead and implement comprehensive community-wide Darkness to Light training initiatives in their own town."

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is working with other local child sexual abuse organizations throughout the state to institute similar community-wide Darkness to Light training initiatives. The Macon event was successful thanks to numerous Macon community partners and volunteers including Crescent House, Bibb County DFCS, Bibb County School System, Georgia Children's Museum, Peyton Anderson Foundation, Macon Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Department, Exchange Club of Macon, WMAZ-13, and Food Lion.

For more information on Darkness to Light training in your community please visit www.georgiacenterforchildadvocacy.org or call 678-904-2880 x205.

About The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, a nationally certified child advocacy center is the preeminent authority on the treatment of childhood sexual abuse, providing evaluation and treatment for children's long-term recovery, and leading a statewide prevention and education program to end the sexual abuse on children.

About Darkness to Light

Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect children from sexual abuse by placing responsibility on adult shoulders. They educate adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

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A Good Ole Fashion Gospel Revival in Alpharetta to Support Two Very Worthy Causes

PRNewswire/ -- This praise and worship event which will serve as the 10th Annual Friends and Family concert presented by THP, Inc. will be a night to remember. The event, which promises to stir the soul, will take place at St. James United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 23rd starting at 7:00 pm. The church is located at 3000 Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta. Tracey Harris has been quoted saying, "We will reach the masses spreading not only the good news in song and dance, but we will educate and bring awareness about issues plaguing the community: Child Abuse, Domestic Violence & AIDS. We will be that shining light providing health resources, parent resources, child development and community resources. We have placed these items at the forefront of our mission and focus."

A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Jerusalem House in Atlanta with a portion going toward their program for single adults. The program serves single homeless adult men and women who have AIDS. The balance will be used for the Family Program that helps children and their HIV positive single mothers who are homeless. The programs include:

-- Apartments for program participants.
-- Counseling, case management and resident plan development.
-- Personal care assistance when needed -- bathing, cleaning, preparing
meals, etc.
-- Access to an on-site learning center with computers and internet access
managed by the center coordinator.
-- Tutoring for children and mothers.
-- Support groups for both the mothers and children.
-- Recreational and social activities including monthly community
meetings.
-- Resident Advisory Committee.


THP, Inc. will also donate 30 tickets to the Roswell Senior Citizen Community Center for them to attend free of charge and participate in this evening of praise and worship.
For more information about the event or ticket sales go to www.mypraiseparty.com .

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