May Updates
Thank you for being a part of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month!
Each April, Lotus recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Thankyou to our volunteers, Survivors Council, Board of Directors, multidisciplinary teams and sexual assault response teams, partners and supporters, elected officials and leaders, and community members for raising awareness and creating opportunities to hope, heal, grow. Here are a few highlights from last month.
Lotus joined Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass and Hope Harbor, Inc. in accepting the Innovative Program award at the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month kickoff event hostedby Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. in Lexington. The three organizations were recognized for collaborating to create survivor-led online support groups.
Paducah Mayor George Bray visited our Lotus campus to issue a Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation and tour the Hope Heal Grow Mobile, our mobile children’s advocacy center. Read more from The Paducah Sun.
Marshall County multidisciplinary team partners toured our Hope Heal Grow Mobile and learned about new partnership opportunities to improve safety, healing, and justice outcomes for child victims and their families.
Community members and partners joined together at the Lotus Growing Together! Festival & Picnic, sponsored by Humana Healthy Horizons, to enjoy a day of playful activities at our Paducah campus. View more photos on our blog or VUE Magazine.
Lotus traveled to Frankfort to celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Attorney General Daniel Cameron spoke, along with Aimee Clymer-Hancock, Graves County First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, on the importance of victims’ voices and ensuring access for all.
If you participated in our April events and would like to stay engaged with Lotus, there are many ways to do so! You can apply to become a volunteer and enhance our mission to support survivors, strengthen families, and empower communities. You can also support by starting a monthly gift to Lotus, or attending one of our upcoming events.
DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING | GET INVOLVED
SUPPORT SURVIVORS
Lotus Survivors Council Seeking New Members
Our Survivors Council is growing! The mission of the Lotus Survivors Council is to advise and assist Lotus on matters related to survivors of child abuse and sexual violence. If you are interested in joining, learn more on our website.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Building Your Coping Toolbox
A coping toolbox is a collection of skills, techniques, items, and other suggestions that you can turn to as soon as you start to feel anxious or distressed. Learn how you can build your coping toolbox from Mental Health America.
STRENGTHEN FAMILIES
Transition To Adulthood Virtual Conference
May 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT
This virtual conference presented by Fort Knox EFMP and KY-SPIN features a parent/family track and a youth track to prepare children and families in transitioning to adulthood. Learn more and register.
Mental Health Resources for Employees
Find more information about how to care for your own mental health when facing difficult challenges at work. Mental Health America offers a stress screener and FAQs about coping with and reducing stress at work.
EMPOWER COMMUNITIES
Learn About Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
AAPI Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. Learn more about why we recognize AAPI Heritage Month from History.com.
Shifting to a Culture of Respect and Consent Panel
May 23 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Join Women’s Advocates for a 90-minute virtual presentation to:
- Learn and discuss situations in our daily life where issues of respect and consent may appear;
- Discuss places in history, media, and our daily lives where a lack of consent and respect is the norm; and
- Ideate ways to promote an environment and community that values consent and respect.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mondays (ongoing): Survivor Led Support Group @ 6:00 p.m. CDT
Hosted by Lotus, Ampersand, and Hope Harbor
Tuesday, May 17: Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® Child Abuse Prevention Training @ 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Hosted by Lotus | Virtual
Tuesday, June 21: Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® Child Abuse Prevention Training @ 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT
Hosted by Lotus | Virtual
Find Lotus at these community events!
Friday May 13 – Saturday, May 14: Lower Town Arts & Music Festival @ various times
Hosted by Yeiser Art Center
Saturday, May 14 – Sunday, May 15: The Good Wu Healing & Arts Spring Festival @ various times
Hosted by A Centered Space
