At Monday night’s meeting, the Centralia City Council proclaimed the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness month in partnership with SAFE Crisis Center to raise awareness and promote advocacy for victims of sexual assault and child abuse. Members and partners of SAFE were present at the meeting to share the organization’s plans for April with the community.
Jessica Palazzolo, coordinator for the Marion County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, said there will be two community walks for awareness this year, including the first to be held in Centralia.
“We are going to be having our very first ever walk in Centralia,” Palazzolo said. “It will be at the Carillon Park on Tuesday, April 14 at noon. If you’re available, we’d love to have you come. We’re just going to walk around, wear blue, and show our support. We also have one that will be our third annual at the Marion County in the Courthouse in Salem on April 29 at noon.”
Also in Centralia, there will be the Prevention Picnic, a family picnic on Saturday, April 25 at Fairview Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring games, crafts, and food. Child welfare organizations will be present to share information with those in attendance.
On April 18, SAFE will host a fun run and 5K at Bryan Memorial Park as a fundraising and awareness event. Sign-up for the run and more information on upcoming events can be found on the SAFE Facebook page.
The council also gave permission to SAFE to put up decorations for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in downtown Centralia. There will be teal and royal blue ribbons on light poles signifying awareness for sexual assault and child abuse.
At an earlier Salem City Council meeting, Salem Mayor Nic Farley also signed a proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness month and the council gave approval supporting the upcoming events in Salem.
SAFE organizers are presented with the Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation at Salem City Hall.
