JACKSON – The Green Bear Project is hosting its second annual A Day in the Park with Green Bear event to promote awareness of its abuse prevention programs and National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Green Bear Project was founded in 2001 with a mission to educate the community about child abuse. Over the past 20 years, Green Bear has educated thousands of adults and kids about the dangers, warning signs, and prevention of child abuse through its various programs.
The current program educates pre-kindergarten through 12th grades, mandated reporters, and concerned parents, grandparents, and citizens.
April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month, bringing awareness to the importance of strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect.
Leasa Stone, Prevention Education Coordinator and Green Bear Founder, knows the importance of abuse prevention education.
“Talking to children early and often about child abuse is key to prevention. Talking about abuse doesn’t have to be scary; Green Bear helps make that conversation easier for kids and their families,” says Stone, “A Day in the Park with Green Bear was a vision of mine. I want families to be educated while also having a fun day out!”
A Day in the Park with Green Bear will be held at Cape County Park North on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The event is free and open to anyone wishing to attend. Organizations and vendors from all over Cape Girardeau County will be present, with activities and experiences for families.
Some of the organizations in attendance at the 2023 event will be the Safe House of Southeast Missouri, Voices for Children/CASA of Southeast Missouri, Saint Francis Healthcare System, SEMO Pets, Cape Girardeau Public Library, Discovery Playhouse, Ty’s Summer Sno, The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, KRCU, Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium Inc. (MBRC), Music for the Mind, SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI), just to name a few. Families in attendance will also be entered into a drawing to win prizes from area organizations and supporters.
Last years event saw over 200 children and families in attendance.
“It’s such a fun day! The Green Bear Project wants to give back to the community and bring awareness to these important topics,” says Kendra Eads, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence. “There is something for everyone; I promise you’ll have a blast!”
If you’d like to see the Green Bear Project offered at your school, please contact Leasa Stone at lstone@semonasv.org.
