By Brenna Keller
NKyTribune associate editor
On Wednesday, the Family Nurturing Center launched National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a Blue Ribbon Ceremony hosted by Tom Gill at Tom Gill Chevrolet in Florence.
The blue ribbon is a symbol for child abuse prevention. In 1989, a Virginia grandmother tied a blue ribbon to her car antenna to honor her grandson, who lost his life at the hands of his parents. It has since become an internationally recognized symbol for child abuse prevention. Attendees at Wednesday’s event were given blue ribbons to display during the month of April.
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Tom Gill hosting the Blue Ribbon Ceremony. Gill noted that child abuse prevention is an easy cause to be involved with. In the past, he has donated $20,000 at the Blue Ribbon Ceremony. This year, Gill pledged to give the Family Nurturing Center $4 of every car sold between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore read a proclamation from Boone County recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. He noted that other similar proclamations had come from other local governments. Judge Moore also informed the crowd that Representative Stephanie Dietz will be introducing a floor citation at the Kentucky House of Representatives declaring the month of April Child Abuse Prevention Month for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon recognized the winner of the Children’s Artwork Contest. The annual contest, open to all Northern Kentucky students in 4th through 8th grade, had the theme “Pinwheels of Possibility.” According the Mayor Aubuchon, the theme “represents hope, resilience, and the belief that every child deserves a future full of opportunity.”
The winning entry was created by Maggie Webb, Melissa Rodriguez, and Cali Craddock, fifth graders at Kelly Elementary in Burlington. The artists said they were inspired to “show what a healthy family looks like.”
Their work will be displayed on TANK buses throughout the month of April, and their class will celebrate their win with a pizza party.
The event’s featured speaker was Shari Olson, Outreach and Development Manager at Proudworks and Assistant ESD Instructor and Community Outreach Director for THRIVE Empowerment Center.
She discussed breaking the cycle of generational trauma, and the importance of sharing one’s story: “Healing is possible, but it does not happen in silence. It happens in places like the Family Nurturing Center. It happens because people care enough to create those spaces, to support them, to fund them, to believe in them. And it happens when we are brave enough to tell.”
The Family Nurturing Center strives to end the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. All services and programs are free.
The Family Nurturing Center plans to raise awareness about child abuse prevention during April through the Light Up Blue Initiative and Wear Blue Day.
For the Light Up Blue Initiative, the Family Nurturing Center encourages lighting up facilities with blue lights and incorporating blue decorations throughout. Blue symbolizes hope and support, and your participation will help illuminate the conversation surrounding child abuse prevention.
Wear Blue Day for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness is April 1st in Kentucky. Photos posted to social media can be tagged #WearBlue4KYKids #FamilyNurturingCenter #stopchildabuse to raise awareness.