PHOTOS PROVIDED Some of the artwork on display at Geisinger clinics is pictured.

PHOTOS PROVIDED
Some of the artwork on display at Geisinger clinics is pictured.

DANVILLE — For the second straight year, Geisinger has teamed with the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) and local community organizations to create unity around child abuse prevention efforts through a statewide art project.

During the month of April — Child Abuse Prevention month — canvases painted by children will be displayed in community locations and Geisinger clinics. Painting for Prevention kits were distributed to children by community organizations throughout the Commonwealth to be painted for the displays. These organizations included the Nurse-Family Partnership, Susquehanna Valley United Way, Columbia County Family Center and the Geisinger Child Advocacy Center.

The Painting for Prevention project hopes to strengthen communities and unite community members in the common goal of preventing child abuse and neglect. The design for this year’s canvas includes an outline of a keystone with a kite in the center bearing a blue ribbon, which is a national symbol for child abuse prevention.

Cardstock versions of the canvases were also distributed to Danville, Millville, Shikellamy and Southern Columbia schools to be colored and displayed in the schools.

There are also two community events during the month of April. The Degenstein Library is hosting an event from 10 a.m. to noon on April 12, which will include opportunities for children to paint canvases and hear a talk from Pat Bruno, MD, Geisinger pediatric physician and a leading expert in child abuse prevention.

Volunteers will staff a booth at the upcoming Bloom Renaissance Street Fair on April 26 in Bloomsburg. The booth will have cardstock versions of the canvases for kids to color, free educational materials, face painting and swag items.

Artwork is on display at the several Geisinger clinics throughout the region including Woodbine, Bloomsburg, Lewisburg, Lewistown, Kulpmont and many more.

To get involved with this project or others by the PFSA, visit pafsa.org.