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Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Childhelp Launches 'Hope for a Safe Summer' Campaign to Protect Vulnerable Children During Summer Break
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As families prepare for sun-soaked vacations and poolside fun, Childhelp is urging communities to stay alert to a quieter, more dangerous reality: For many children, summer is not a break — it's a breakdown of their most consistent safety net. That's why Childhelp is launching 'Hope for a Safe Summer' campaign — an effort to raise awareness and prevent child abuse during the months when it's most likely to go unnoticed. 'Summer should be a time of joy,' says Michael Medoro, Childhelp Chief of Staff and COO. 'But for children living in abusive or neglectful environments, the end of the school year often means the end of their daily contact with trusted adults who can step in and help.' Why summer is so risky for kids: Fewer mandatory reporters: During the school year, teachers, counselors, and coaches are often the first to spot signs of abuse. In fact, teachers are the primary reporters of child abuse in the U.S. But when school lets out, that critical connection disappears. Less structure and supervision: Summer often brings looser routines, more unsupervised time, and less oversight. This can lead to increased exposure to potential abusers, including family members, family friends, or online predators. According to the FBI, more than 500,000 predators are online at any given time, often targeting children who are spending more time alone on devices. Fewer interactions with safe adults: Families may isolate during vacations or due to financial constraints, which means fewer check-ins from neighbors, friends, or relatives who might otherwise notice signs of abuse. Some families may travel to visit extended relatives — and unfortunately, abuse can also occur in those environments. Increased stress at home: Summer can bring added financial strain due to childcare costs, food insecurity (when school meals are no longer available), and the pressure of vacations or camps. These stressors can increase the risk of abuse and reduce a parent or caregiver's ability to cope in healthy ways. Fewer calls for help: Despite the increased risk, child abuse reporting drops dramatically in the summer — with some studies showing as much as a 23% decrease in hotline calls. That doesn't mean abuse stops. It means it's going unseen. Childhelp's Hope for a Safe Summer The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) is available 24/7, staffed with professional counselors who provide immediate, confidential support and resources to children and adults in need. It remains a lifeline for those who have no other trusted adult to turn to. By donating just $22, one child can get the life-saving support they need through the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. The campaign runs until August 31. About Childhelp: Founded by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson in 1959, Childhelp® has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of more than 13 million children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused, neglected and at-risk children. Childhelp's programs and services include residential treatment services, children's advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline serves children and adults nationwide 24/7 through phone, text and online chat. For more information, visit and follow Childhelp at MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Parsons Meghan Krein Gordon C. James Public Relations Childhelp O: 602-274-1988 / C: 602-686-5746 O: 480-922-8215 / C: 480-528-0537 jparsons@ mkrein@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Los Angeles Times
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Crowd: ‘For the Love of a Child' spring fashion event supports work of Childhelp
The Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach, opened its ballroom doors to welcome Orange County's fashionable women for an annual spring gather in support of a serious cause, fighting child abuse. The Orange County chapter of Childhelp, one of the premiere affiliates of the national organization founded in 1959 by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, held its 39th Fashion Show and Luncheon billed as 'For the Love of a Child.' OC Childhelp President Julie Thornton-Adams greeted the sold-out crowd dressed to impress. Arguably, this fashion event on the Orange Coast is among the most glamorous and exquisitely produced spring runway shows and luncheons. Credit for the impeccable production belongs in great part to the most dedicated OC Childhelp advocate Patti Edwards. Attending with husband Jimmy Edwards, Patti, honorary event chair and National Childhelp board member, has championed the cause of protecting the most neglected, abused and damaged children who have been abandoned by family, society and the system. Childhelp has served as the last stop for decades, rescuing the vulnerable children lost and often slipping through the cracks of what should be a decent and humane, safe time in a young life to grow and flourish. Standing tall with Edwards in the mission to save the children were the 2025 Fashion Show Luncheon event chairs Katherine Meredith and Diana Miner. The powerhouse duo, also setting the uber chic fashion vibe donning complimentary all-white spring wardrobe, produced a flawless event headlined by a runway fashion show presented by South Coast Plaza and curated by Stephanie Rogers, director of community relations. Models strutted the elevated catwalk, which featured two lanes bisecting the ballroom, allowing all guests to share a perfect vantage point of collections from Bally, Balmain, Camilla, Lanvin, Missoni, Monique Lhuillier, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In the crowd, seated at tables festooned with spectacular spring white-on-white arrangements, and dining on a luncheon multi-course service were Childhelp devotees Becky Cooper, Christine Bren, Carol Primm, Eileen Saul, Joyce Simon, Patricia Ford, Tracy Abel, Barbara Ganahl, Marion Hartwich, Jean deVries, Eve Kornyei, Pamela Selber, Dee Higby, Marion Jacobson, Betty Huang and Kitty Canada, to name only a few. Major support for Childhelp over many years of generous giving of both time and treasure deserves tremendous appreciation and attention paid to special guests. Among the standouts are Beverly Cohen, Olivia Abel, Pam Pharris, Joy Estrada, Debra Violette, Gina Van Ocker, Mary Allyn Dexter and Jacquie Casey, also known as Childhelp angel and a Stardust donor. She and her husband, Michael Casey, have quietly rescued countless kids with their remarkable giving. Joining Jacquie at her table were close friends and family including daughters Kimberly Casey and Monica Booth, Gail Haft, Gayle Naylor, Heather Denton, Nancy Pelligrino and Lee Healy. The inspirational highlight of the afternoon came with the presentation of Childhelp's Children's Friend Award. Patti Edwards introduced the audience to Rosevelt Rawls, a talented young lady who took the stage with considerable grace and confidence. Rawls accepted her award and shared her personal story and commitment to the Childhelp mission. At age 11, Rawls became a Childhelp Youth Ambassador under the tutelage of founders O'Meara and Fedderson. Today, she continues that mission, traveling the nation having visited some 175 schools across 26 states and reaching more than 200,000 young people. Rawls shared her beautiful voice, performing an original song that took the event to another level of inspiration and purpose. To learn more about the important work of Childhelp today in Orange County and nationally, visit
