At noon on Friday, social workers, managers and other staff from the Department of Social Services gathered outside their offices to observe Child Abuse Prevention Month by placing blue pinwheels in the ground.
“This month, we shed light on the stories of those most vulnerable and strengthening families,” explained Alexis Bumgarner, who works with Child Protective Services. “This year, we want to emphasize the word ‘hope’ — hope that each child experiences a safe upbringing and positive childhood. Positive childhood experiences change outcomes and build lifelong resilience. Everyone here today has a role to play in supporting children and families. Today, we stand together with a common goal: to prevent childhood maltreatment.”
Erica Herring, an assessment social worker, read the 2026 Child Abuse Awareness Proclamation, signed by Governor Josh Stein earlier this month.
The proclamation states in part that by naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the state is “recognizing that promoting positive experiences for all North Carolina families strengthens the future of our state.”
“Children need to live healthy, purposeful lives with hope for the future,” Herring read, “and whereas during Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recognize the importance of strengthening families and creating nurturing environments where all children feel supported, cared for, and are able to thrive.”
Social worker Kaylie Robbins also shared a statement on the importance of recognizing child abuse and neglect. “We come here today, not just as social workers, but as adults who were once children, too,” she stated. “And when I look at my colleagues, I don’t just see coworkers. I see stories. I see people shaped by the children they once were. And the children we serve today are watching us closely. They are learning from us what safety feels like, what trust looks like, and what they deserve. I firmly believe it only takes one person, one moment, one day, to change the course of a child’s life, to interrupt a cycle of pain and begin something new. To remind children that they have a voice and that it is powerful, and that they are the authors of their own stories.”
Each of the pinwheels that were planted on Friday recognize that a child’s story matters, Robbins continued. “As they spin in the wind, they remind us that childhood should be light, free, and full of movement, not weighed down by fear, and not cycled by abuse or neglect.”
Although she was not listed on the program, Shannon Barber, director of the Child Advocacy Center, also provided a few remarks during the ceremony. “I normally just tell everybody, in case you don’t know, how the color blue started as the color for child abuse prevention. That started because a grandmother in 1984, I think, her grandchildren were physically abused, and so she wanted to bring awareness to this. She lived in Virginia. And so she tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her vehicle, and that represented their bruised and battered bodies. And so that kind of stuck with everybody, and that’s why you see people wear blue ribbons; the color blue is what represents Child Abuse Prevention Month.”
The pinwheels signify that all children should lead a happy, healthy life, she added. “They should not have to deal with the things that we see children deal with every day.”
Barber also pointed out that along with his Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation, Gov. Stein also proclaimed April 28 as Child Advocacy Center Day. “The reason that day was chosen is because that is National Superhero Day,” she explained. “And you guys are all superheroes. You don’t wear capes, or your superpower may not be the things that we associate with superheroes, things we see in the movies, but you all have superhero powers, and you all are superheroes to lots of children in this county.”
Lastly, before the pinwheels were planted, Angela Freeman, one of the Child Protective Services supervisors, led the group in prayer. “Before I pray, I just want to share a brief verse, the scripture that reflects the heart of why we’re gathered here today,” she stated. “And it is Proverbs 31 and 8. I think this is a new living translation. It says, ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Ensure justice for those being crushed.’ These words remind us of responsibility as a community to protect those who cannot always protect themselves.”
During her prayer, she said, “God, children are among the most vulnerable in our world. Many cannot defend themselves, cannot always find the words to speak, and often depend on adults around them to notice, to care, and to act. God, today, we lift up every child and we ask for your protection over their lives. Surround them with safe homes, caring adults and communities that value their well-being. God, we also remember the children who are hurting. Those who feel unseen, unheard and afraid. We ask that you bring healing where there has been harm, comfort, where there has been fear and hope, where there has been uncertainty. And, Lord, today, we lift up the professionals that are gathered here today, including ourselves, the social workers, advocates, investigators, supervisors, community partners, who step into difficult situations every day to protect children. Lord, you know the weight we carry, the stories we hear and the decisions we must make. Many who serve in this work are helping protect children while still carrying wounds from seasons when they themselves were not protected. And so today, God, we ask for your healing over every hidden hurt, every burden carried quietly, and every place where strength has been stretched.”
County Manager Allen Vann, who was also on hand for the ceremony, praised those present and those who could not make it there for the work they do every day. “What you do dealing with these situations, you truly are superheroes,” he said. “So thank you for everything you do on the county’s behalf and everyone’s behalf, especially advocating for these children.”
Bumgarner concluded the ceremony by saying, “Please remember as you come back and see [the pinwheels], think about all of the hundreds of children that we encounter each week. Those are the children that you have impacted, even in a small way or a big way.”