Lend A Hand Luncheon signals launch of Blue Ribbon Campaign

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ACH Child and Family Services, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing programs and services to help children and families in Tarrant and surrounding counties, has announced the kickoff of their Blue Ribbon Campaign for 2014. "The blue ribbon represents child abuse and neglect prevention and awareness, so we felt it lined up very well with our core mission of protecting children," said ACH Chief Marketing Officer, Juan Faura. Recently released statistics from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services show that Tarrant County had 5,689 children abused and neglected in 2013, the third highest number of children abused and neglected in Texas.

ACH has a long history of leadership in raising awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect in Tarrant County. The campaign will run throughout 2014, with activities consistently tying back to child abuse and neglect prevention and awareness. "Fighting child abuse and neglect is not just about intervening when it has taken place, it is also about being able to support families and children at risk to reduce the chances it will happen in the first place," stated Dr. Wayne Carson, ACH Chief Executive Officer. He also explained why an advocacy event like Lend A Hand is necessary, "Raising awareness is important because most people don't realize what happens right here in our community. When people know, they want to help."

The official start of the campaign will come on April 3rd, which is the date for the Lend A Hand Luncheon, the annual event that ACH organizes. Lend A Hand is an advocacy event meant to bring the Tarrant County community together around the issue of child abuse and neglect prevention and awareness. The event was started in 2011 and has featured speakers and panels with expertise in the areas of child safety and care, as well as overcoming trauma.

"This year our theme is around hope and overcoming challenges and around the idea that these kids are counting on us. Our keynote speaker this year, Gabe Salazar, is someone who has delivered a message of hope and overcoming adversities to over a million kids. We are pleased to be able to share his message with the Tarrant County community," explained Dr. Carson. The web site for the event, http://lendahand.achservices.org will remain up throughout the year providing ideas on ways to get involved. 

The luncheon will take place on April 3rd from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth. To find out how to get involved, or to purchase tickets to the luncheon, visit lendahand.ACHservices.org.

SOURCE ACH Child and Family Services