Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh Announces Partnership to Help Eliminate Child Abuse in Wake County

RALEIGH, N.C. - June 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Child abuse isn’t something that people like to talk about or even think about.  We know it exists, but it is so quite literally gut-wrenching that it is without question easier to turn away.  Newly inducted President of the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh, Leslie Ann Jackson, is challenging the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh to face this horrible ill next club year – to harness all of the pain that child abuse conjures in us and transform it into motivation to serve SAFEchild, an organization whose mission is to eliminate child abuse in Wake County by helping adults and children create nurturing environments free from abuse and neglect.

Each year, the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh President chooses a local organization the club will focus their work to help make a difference in the community. SAFEchild will serve as the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh President’s Project for the 2014-2015 club year. Through this partnership the organizations will identify programs and services club members can support through hands-on service and fundraising.

Jackson, who also works at the NC Community Foundation, says, “One of the greatest privileges of being President of the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh is naming a President’s Project, but with so many inspiring nonprofits dedicated to meaningful service in our community, choosing one is no easy task. I just followed my heart to SAFEchild. It is an organization that I feel connected to, serving a cause that I am passionate about, and most importantly, one that I know will resonate with the caring and concerned members of the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh.”

SAFEchild has been strengthening families in Wake County since 1993.  Its name is an acronym for Stop Abuse For Every child, and it is the only child abuse prevention agency in Wake County working directly with families. SAFEchild offers parent education and support services to families to prevent abuse and neglect, and changes the long-term effects of abuse if it has already occurred.  For our community, SAFEchild is the good news in child abuse.  With a staff of 14 and more than 250 volunteers, SAFEchild works with 900 families and 7,000 children each year.

Marjorie Menestres, Executive Director at SAFEchild says that, “All of us at SAFEchild are excited to partner with the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh. At SAFEchild we believe in the Margaret Mead quote, ‘Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that can.’  We welcome the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the Club to change the world for families and children by providing needed support and information to prevent child abuse in Wake County.”

In addition to SAFEchild, the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh will continue to serve our community through meaningful programs and projects, supporting a number of local organizations.

About the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh

The Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh is a women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others though leadership opportunities and volunteer service. Established in 1928, the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the world’s oldest nonpartisan women’s volunteer service organization. Its unique program structure enables members to reach out to a rapidly changing society through five program areas:  Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life and International/Public Affairs.