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By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Children are still abused and neglected in the “amazing community” of Kosciusko County, said Erin Rowland Jones.

Rowland Jones, the executive director for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kosciusko County, was one of the speakers at a ceremony addressing child abuse prevention on the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn on Friday, April 12.

Bowen Center joined with CASA of Kosciusko County in putting on the annual ceremony recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Rowland Jones shared statistics illustrating the need for people to combat child abuse locally.

“In 2023, CASA of Kosciusko County served 22% more children than we did the year before, and we served 144% more physically abused children,” she said. “So what can you and I, members of this community, do to prevent child abuse? Healing and change happens in community and relationship.”

“If you see a family struggling maybe through financial difficulties or a single mom juggling a lot, help them, be there for them, be an ear for them, bring them a meal,” Rowland Jones continued. “Ask to babysit their children. The more we as community members see a family with needs and fill those needs, the stronger our community is. Volunteers for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Baker Youth Club, CASA that work to mentor the children of this community.”

Bowen Center President and CEO Dr. Rob Ryan also spoke.

“We need a safe space for our next generation to grow,” he said. “We’re proud to be here today with court services, educators, the Department of Child Services to shine a light on an issue that we believe is preventable. We’re proud to partner with other passionate advocates of children, parents and caregivers of families who do the right thing.”

“That’s not simply not just not abusing children: it’s a commitment to bettering ourselves and the system for children to be able to navigate and grow in a safe place,” added Ryan.

Also speaking at the event was Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath.

She noted how abuse and neglect early on in life affect kids later on.

“Children who are abused and neglected are 11 times more likely to enter the criminal justice system as adults,” said McGrath. “We can’t ignore the numbers. We can’t ignore these vulnerable people in our community.”

After the speakers were done, attendees marched around the courthouse before planting pinwheels, a symbol of child abuse prevention, on the courthouse lawn.

Those who want to help combat child abuse locally can help by giving to CASA of Kosciusko, with Rowland Jones listing several April fundraisers after the ceremony.

A giveback night will take place from 5-8 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Culver’s, 852 Parker St., Warsaw, with “up to 20% of the sales (from) dine-in or carryout or drive-thru … donated to CASA,” she said.

Papa Vino’s Italian Kitchen, 2640 Escalade Way, Warsaw, is donating “up to 20%” of sales either dine-in or carryout to CASA all day on Monday, April 15, through Thursday, April 18, Rowland Jones said.

“We are going to be starting a new fundraising matching campaign soon called Race for 500, where our board and some of our supporters are going to be trying to raise $500 each for CASA, and we have a … donor who’s (going) to match up to $7,500,” she said.

More information on that will be available soon on CASA of Kosciusko County’s Facebook page and website. The River Coffeehouse in downtown Warsaw, 102 E. Center St., also has information on how to give.

For those who wish to become CASAs, training should be done in June. To sign up, people may visit the above website or call (574) 372-2401.