COVID-19 postpones events

By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

Normally, the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s schedule for April is chock-full of events in support of the “Go Blue 4 Kids” campaign for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. But with social distancing in effect to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, that schedule has been wiped clean.

With the Go Blue 4 Kids Breakfast canceled and the Pinwheel Ball postponed — major events that account for much of McMahon Ryan’s annual fundraising — unfortunately, child abuse still continues.

“It’s kind of business as usual for us. Many of us are working from home and coming in as calls come in,” said Colleen Merced, executive director of MRCAC.

Despite the difficulties of social distancing, there are still many ways to support McMahon Ryan throughout April and beyond. As always, the organization is selling blue pinwheels, flower pots, lapel pins and wristbands. People can “Blow Away” family, friends or colleagues with a delivery of 50 pinwheels to be planted on the recipient’s lawn or delivered to their workplace. In turn, the recipient is challenged to “blow someone else away” and pay it forward. Visit mcmahonryan.org/events/go-blue-4-kids/blow-away-child-abuse/ to learn more.

McMahon Ryan is also inviting people to participate in a virtual version of the Step Up 4 Kids 5K and Kids’ Fun Run. Visit runsignup.com/Race/NY/Syracuse/StepUp4Kids5KandFunRun to register and share your time.

“People can still participate and they’ll still get a shirt,” said Merced. “We’re asking people to send us their times so we can still post them.”

The organization is still planning its 100 Holes 4 Kids golf marathon, set to take place June 8 at Bellevue Country Club. A group of local leaders strives to raise a minimum of $3,000 each for a 12-hour round of golf. Visit mcmahonryan.org/events/100-holes-4-kids to sponsor a golfer.

Further ahead, the agency is planning another round of Over the Edge 4 Kids for Aug. 15. Fundraisers get to rappel over the side of the building at One Park Place in Syracuse.

“A child has that fear every time they have to come into the center and disclose what has happened to them. If they can overcome their fear of that, you can overcome your fear of heights and rappel over the building,” Merced said.

Visit mcmahonryan.org/events/over-the-edge for more information on that event.

Reports of child abuse and neglect are down right now, Merced said, because of school closures. But fewer reports does not mean fewer instances of abuse.

“We project that we will see more once kids start going back to school,” Merced said. “The problem now is with kids not going to school, people aren’t making reports. Kids are being abused at home but they don’t have those trusted adults like teachers that they can go and talk to.”

MRCAC has been posting resources on its website and Facebook page for families to reduce stress and recognize the warning signs of child abuse.

“People are stressed out. They have a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot more issues financially. We know that times like that create a lot of chaos in the home and situations like that can create a spike in child abuse,” Merced said. “It’s important for people to recognize the stress and to be able to take a step away.”

Among the organization’s available resources are suggestions for kids’ activities, how to nurture a child’s social-emotional and mental health needs, and a free 30-minute Darkness to Light “Protecting Children During a Crisis” training, which helps families develop a family code of conduct and personalized plan to keep children safe from sexual abuse during times of crisis. Visit facebook.com/McMahonRyanCAC to learn more.

Merced also cautions parents to be aware of the potential risk for human trafficking.

“You have pimps looking at different ways to exploit these youth and nobody’s looking at them right now because of everything else that’s going on,” she said. “Kids especially now more than ever are on their computer, so parents need to be aware of who their kids are talking to. Kids often meet their perpetrators online.”

Finally, it is important to look out for your neighbors and relatives during this time.

“This time more than any time it’s important for neighbors to check on neighbors and if they hear or see something that they call the hotline number,” Merced said.

The New York State Child Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-342-3720.