Volunteer

Organize a fundraiser or a food drive to support an organization that helps families in your community. 

Help the Public Library Develop Resources for Parents. Work with the librarian to develop a collection of resources on child development and parenting skills.

Work to Prevent All Violence. Join – or start – a group that works to prevent crime and violence in your community. Send a message that no violence will be tolerated in your community.

Work with Schools. Encourage your local schools to develop programs that prevent violence and abuse. You don’t have to be a parent to get involved. Call your local school to find out what it is doing to prevent violence and abuse in your community and how you can help.

Support Your School’s Efforts. Voice your support and donate your time or resources for programs that:

• Teach children how to protect themselves from abuse
• Give adolescents the knowledge they need to be nurturing parents someday
• Teach parenting skills to teen parents
• Work to prevent bullying, harassment and fighting in the schools
• Provide before- and after-school activities to keep children safe
• Provide affordable meals or other assistance for children and families

Make a Donation

Most charitable contributions are tax deductible – and they support efforts to help families.

• If you can, donate money to an organization that works to prevent child abuse.
• Donate clothing, food or toys to a social service agency that helps families in your community.

Become an Advocate

• Speak out against child abuse.
• Contact your elected officials. Ask them to support funding for prevention efforts and policies that support children and families.
• Write to the editor of your local newspaper sharing what you’ve learned about child abuse and neglect. Point out that preventing child abuse and neglect is an important investment in the future of your community.

Reach Out

Build a Support Network by Getting Involved in Your Community. Taking these steps helps strengthen your family and your community.

• Get to Know Your Neighbors. Develop friendly relationships with your neighbors and their children. Problems often seem less overwhelming when you have support nearby.
• Get Involved in Your Child’s School. Join the parent-teacher organization and attend school events.
• Be an Active Community Member. Attend town meetings and community events. Join groups that are working to improve your community.
• Know Where to Get Help. Many schools and communities offer programs that support parents and children. Visit Programs to learn more about groups offered in your community.

Be a Good Neighbor. Reach out to families and children in your community. When neighbors can rely on each other, everyone benefits.

• Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another’s children
• Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block
• Show that you are involved

Help Families under Stress. If a family you know seems to be in crisis or under stress, offer to help. For example, you could:

• Offer to baby-sit
• Help with chores and errands
• Suggest resources in the community that can help the family
• Lend a friendly ear
• Show you understand
• Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family

Be Kind to Children. Get to know the children in your neighborhood. Be kind and supportive to any child, especially if his or her family is under stress.

• Remember their names
• Smile when you talk with them
• Ask them about their day at school

Remember, if you think a child is being abused, report it. Reporting abuse can help protect the child and get the family help. If you fear a child may be abused or neglected, please visit our section on Reporting child maltreatment to learn more information.

Learn How Your Community Supports Children and Families

A range of programs and services may be available. For example:

• Parent education programs teach parents about child development and nurturing parenting skills.
• Parent Resource Centers provide services such as parenting education, social networking, self-help groups or child-care relief.
• Home-visiting programs provide social support, education and crisis-intervention to families at risk for abuse.
• Substance abuse treatment programs can help parents overcome problems with alcohol or other drugs.
• Well-baby programs provide health and education services to new parents.
• Child-care programs offer affordable child-care services. This may allow parents to maintain full-time jobs or stay in school while keeping their children safe.
• Respite care provides relief to families with a child or other family member who is ill or has a disability.
• Parent mentor programs match experienced, stable parents with parents at risk for abuse. Mentors provide support and model positive parenting skills.

These programs may be offered through schools, health-care clinics, social service agencies or community organizations. For more information about what programs are offered in your community please visit Programs.

Source: You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse, Prevent Child Abuse America Publications.