May 31,2009 is recognized as Jewelers for Children
Children's Day in an effort to raise awareness and help find solutions for
some of the most vulnerable children in our community.
As of the end of May 2009, in Graves County there
are 62 abused and neglected children living in foster care. The statistics
documenting outcomes of children in foster care are bleak. Only 58% had a
high school degree at age 19, compared to 87% of non-foster youth.
About 1 in 5 were homeless for one or more nights within a year after
leaving foster care. 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within the first 2 years
after they leave the system. A major factor in avoiding bad outcomes for
an abused child is the presence of a concerned adult in that child's life.
If there is any good news to be found in the plight
of children in foster care, it is people's willingness to stand up and be
that caring adult in these children's lives, once they are made aware of
their situation. This is why the Jewelers for Children has established a
day, a Children's Day, aimed at recruiting local adults to support these
children as local Court Appointed Special Advocates with the Graves County
Child Advocacy Program, Inc. CASA.
To become a volunteer in Graves County contact Peggy
Bennett for more information.
Jewelers for Children is the charitable arm of the
jewelry industry and they are the largest private supporter of the
National CASA Association, supporting volunteer advocacy since 2003. For
more information on JFC, please visit jewelersforchildren.org.
In
1989, a task force was formed of community leaders
concerned about the rising reports of child abuse
and neglect Mayfield-Graves County. Because of these
concerned citizens, the Child Advocacy Program, Inc.
was formed. 
