In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Brightside Child & Family Advocacy will host its annual Pinwheel Garden Planting Ceremony on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Grayson Stadium (1401 E Victory Drive) at 10:00 AM. This annual Pinwheel Garden Planting Ceremony allows the organization to bring awareness to the needs of children experiencing foster care. A pinwheel garden is a visible reminder to keep the prevention of child abuse at the forefront of people’s minds. Each pinwheel will represent a child within the foster care system within Chatham County. Pinwheels reflect our hope for the children of our community: a happy and carefree childhood. 

Brightside Advocacy is honored to join forces with the Savannah Bananas again for this significant event. The partnership holds special meaning for Owners Jesse and Emily Cole, both foster parents and founders of the nonprofit Bananas Foster. Their firsthand experience underscores the crucial need to safeguard and uplift children who have endured abuse and neglect.

Executive Director Kate Blair states, "Brightside Advocacy is dedicated to shining a light on the issue of child abuse and neglect in our community. Serving as both a champion for children in foster care and the local Prevent Child Abuse Council, we are committed to preventing the mistreatment of Georgia's children. Through education, advocacy, and the promotion of evidence-based prevention strategies, we strive to ensure the well-being of all children."

The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign, led by Prevent Child Abuse America, is “Building A Hopeful Future, Together.”  It is vital that we all come together to eliminate the risk of child abuse and neglect. This issue can be prevented if we all do our part to help. 

There are nearly 300 children in foster care in Chatham County, and each of those children deserves to have a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer fighting for them. Savannah CASA volunteers increase access to services, promote safety, and advocate for timeliness and permanency for children involved in juvenile court proceedings. Bright House provides court-mandated supervised visitation and family support services in a home-like setting to strengthen family relationships and work toward reunification. For those interested in helping to prevent child abuse in our community, please visit brightsideadvoacy.org.