Growing Hope:
Child Abuse Prevention Month
in Medina County

At The Children’s Center, Child Abuse Prevention Month is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect children, support families, and build a safer future for the next generation. Throughout April 2026, our community came together to Wear Blue, plant Pinwheels, and walk side by side as a visible sign of hope for every child on their pathway to healing while inspiring action and fostering community connection.

Here are some of the highlights from this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month in Medina County.
 

Wear Blue Day

Our Board of Directors proudly wore blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month, showing their commitment to keeping children safe and walking beside them on their pathway to healing.

Photo, back row from left: Damon Hacker, Joan Pritchett, Mary Toth, Abby Jones, Barbara Michelson, Jessica Heid, Kim Miller, Chrissy Kungli; front row from left – Chief Ed Kinney, Renee Hawke, Clarissa Greer, Amanda Hansen, Mike English, Steve Ferris, Julia Zettl
 

The Children Center of Medina County’s staff is proudly Wearing Blue in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and protected.

Photo, back row from left: Kristen Minichello, Ellysa Paras, Anna Guy-Leach; front row from left: Madison Davisson, Brandi Provoznik-Rees, Erin Grohe
 

Pinwheel Garden Project

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Pinwheel Walk

Video by flora and film

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Photography by Pam Flora

Thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated their time, talent, and resources to help make the Pinwheel Walk a wonderful event!
 

Family Activities and Resource Tables

We are excited to have several new organizations participating for the first time this year:

Many amazing organizations joined us again this year to stand with Survivors of Child Abuse. We are so grateful for the support of:

 
We are grateful for volunteers David Barlow, Jenine Tanner, Charlcie Towne and Quill Towne, who marked the locations for the Pinwheels to be planted. The Tanner Family helped prep the garden. John Minichello and Pam Flora prepared and hung the banners. The Children’s Center Staff and the Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee set up the event. Lodi Loyal Lads and Lassies 4-H Club for cleaning, sorting, and counting Pinwheels. Anna Guy-Leach, Amanda Hansen, Ron Stollar, Mary Toth, and Charlcie Towne registered attendees on site. Abby Jones and Joan Pritcett answered questions about The Children’s Center at the Outreach Table while Medina National Honor Society Students, Medina County Career Center Students, Amanda Hansen, and Jenine Tanner passed out Pinwheels for attendees to plant in the Pinwheel Garden. John Minichello took charge of the audio system, providing music and microphones.

Thank you to City of Medina Mayor Jim Shields and Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley for presenting Proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Madison Davisson did a fantastic job as the emcee. The Medina Police Department Auxiliary helped control traffic, keeping everyone safe.

A very special thank you to Heather Setser for bravely sharing her experience overcoming the impact of Child Abuse and Neglect. The Medina County District Library has been a wonderful host and a fantastic location for the Pinwheel Garden.