MUSCATINE, Iowa–Ever since its formation, the Muscatine Community Y’s Family Program Services Department has worked hard to prevent child abuse, along with other programs to educate and support caregivers. As part of that work, they have offered the Stewards of Children program several times each year for the past decade. This spring, they will provide two additional Stewards of Children classes, giving adults in Muscatine the chance to learn practical ways they can prevent child abuse or help children they work with get out of abusive situations.
A comprehensive program developed by Darkness to Light, an organization dedicated to ending child abuse through education, Stewards of Children focuses on steps that adults who work with children can do to prevent child abuse. It also helps them identify the signs that a child may have experienced abuse, and to take action to report child abuse safely and effectively, all while showing compassion to the child involved. A researched-based curriculum that has received national recognition led by local facilitators, it incorporates the stories of real child abuse cases, sometimes told by those involved, to bring life to the subject and impress its importance on listeners. Through its compelling lessons, it stresses how people can work together to prevent child sexual abuse, which currently affects as many as one in 10 children.
Designed to benefit anyone who works with children, such as teachers and daycare providers, coaches, religious leaders, as well as interested members of the public, Lindsey Phillips, the Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muscatine County, who works closely with the Y’s Family Program Services, urges anyone who falls into these categories to consider signing up. “Ideally, we can increase the number of individuals preventing abuse,” she said. “In the instance of abuse being reported, prepared and trained adults provide a safe place.”
The Muscatine Community Y will hold two Stewards of Children trainings this spring. Stock photo via the YMCA.
People may sign up for the March 23 class at 8 a.m. or the May 9 class at 1 p.m. either by calling Phillips at 563-263-9996 or by emailing her. Each class will last for approximately two hours. Thanks to funding from Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, the Y offers Stewards of Children for free.
With many in the community working hard to provide safe and fulfilling experiences to children, Phillips feels that Stewards of Children offers important knowledge and skills for leaders to have to give kids the safest environments possible to learn, grow, and play in. “Any time adults have tools to protect youth, we should encourage it,” Phillips stated. “I encourage everyone to attend; it is eye opening and will change the way you see things.”
