In my pre-mommy life, I worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Abuse and Neglect Division -- which means that I participated in cases where children were removed from their parents' care because they were being abused or neglected. Some of these kids were placed with relatives. Most of them went into foster care. Very few of them were ever successfully reunited with their parents. And in many cases, parental rights were eventually terminated.
In every case, the children involved suffered terribly.
This job was emotionally difficult in all of the ways that you think it would be. I heard and saw things that I will never forget.
The worst thing about this job was that I couldn't really do much to fix the problem -- because the abuse had already occurred and you can't undo that hurt for a child.
When I was asked to help promote the upcoming Start Early Run to raise funds to prevent child abuse and neglect, I was happy to get involved. This event takes place in Lincoln Park on April 18th and includes a 5k Walk, 10K Run, and Kid's Dash. The Start Early Run raises money for something that it easy to get behind -- keeping kids safe.
We will be there -- let me know if you are planning on coming out too. Click here to learn more and register.
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1 comment:
We just wanted to thank you your post and invite your readers to learn more about how we try to enhance child development, support families and communities and prevent child abuse neglect.
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