HARLINGEN — She trembles at the sound of a cough.
His anger festers before he even makes it through the front door.
They wonder why.
Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative seeks to end these sorts of scenarios.
That’s one reason it is holding National Blue Sunday Day of Prayer for Abused Children on April 29. On that day, Blue Sunday, which was founded here in the Valley, is asking everyone to pray for abused children and their rescuers.
“This year, we are really promoting opportunities to serve by asking churches to pray,” said Janet Johnson Magee, founder and executive director of Blue Sunday.
“We’re asking churches not just to pray for children but also consider looking around at the local prevention professionals and maybe inviting them to your service,” Magee said. “We want to highlight the professional agencies that are helping them and to honor them as well as the children.”
The day of prayer, she explained, is about connecting the faith community with the needs of abused children in their own cities. Part of that “connection” is with such sister agencies as Child Protective Services.
“All my sister agencies need what the faith community has,” Magee said. “They need prayers, they need volunteers, they need opportunities to host events in buildings that churches can provide. They need this in order for this army of people called rescuers to really be able to make a real difference to kids.”
She said participation of local churches helped more than 500 children stay out of foster car last year.
“We’re seeing the faith community rise up and take the challenge and make a difference for our kids,” Magee said.
Churches are asked to pray during their respective church services. Some churches, for a variety of reasons, have their Blue Sunday prayer on a different Sunday than that selected by the organization.
What is Blue Sunday?
Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative (Blue Sunday) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with two goals:
• To raise awareness among the faith community through the Blue Ribbon Church program and annual National Blue Sunday Day of Prayer for Abused Children which is always the last Sunday of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• Meet the needs the needs of abused children living in the Rio Grande Valley.
National Day of Prayer
This is the 24th year for the National Day of Prayer. Those planning to pray for abused children and their providers can register at www.bluesunday.org.
Blue Sunday’s sister agencies
• Child Protective Services
• C.A.S.A (Court-Appointed Special Advocates)
• Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Center/Monica’s and Maggie’s House
• Foster to Adopt
• Sunny Glen Children’s Home
• BFF Blessings from Friends
• Valley Haven Children’s Shelter
• The Care Cottage
