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Hope Mills proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month after Child Advocacy Center briefing
Summary
Child Advocacy Center prevention coordinator Faith Bamer briefed the board on services and statistics (transcript reports ~722 referrals last fiscal year and just over 500 forensic interviews) and offered training and pinwheels for awareness; Mayor Bellflower read a proclamation declaring April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Hope Mills.
Faith Bamer, prevention and volunteer coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center, told the board the center’s mission is to reduce trauma for children after disclosures of abuse and to coordinate forensic interviews, education and community supports. "We are a place of healing and hope," Bamer said, and said the center handled roughly "722 referrals" last fiscal year and conducted "a little over 500" forensic interviews.
Bamer highlighted Child Abuse Prevention Month activities (pinwheel displays) and offered to provide training to town-affiliated staff or volunteer groups. She left informational materials and pinwheels for commissioners and attendees.
Mayor Jesse Bellflower read a proclamation declaring April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the Town of Hope Mills, emphasizing that social and economic stressors increase risks and that community involvement is necessary to prevent abuse and support survivors. The board received the proclamation and accepted the presentation.
Commissioners asked whether the town would participate in a pinwheel display and staff said they would follow up with the Child Advocacy Center to coordinate.
No formal funding decision was made at the meeting; the presentation functioned as outreach and a request to partner on awareness and training opportunities.
