You Are Not Alone: Protecting Our Children

Join us for an evening dedicated to helping keep children and families safe. Here from local experts as they discuss:

• Preventing child abuse and neglect
• Online safety and digital awareness
• Recognizing warning signs
• How to report suspected abuse or exploitation

Explore community resource tables featuring local organizations that provide family support services, mental health resources, victim advocacy, digital safety tools and other programs designed to help children and families.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator or community member, you’ll leave with valuable information, practical tools and local resources to help protect the children in your life.

AGENDA (subject to change)

6-6:30 p.m.	Community Resource Tables & Refreshments Location: Multi-Purpose Room
6:30-6:45 p.m.	Welcome & Opening Address Led by Jerome Fletcher, City Manager North Port & Terry Connor, Superintendent, Sarasota County Schools Location: Multi-Purpose Room Jerome Fletcher, City Manager, City of North Port Terry Connor, Superintendent, Sarasota County Schools
6:45 p.m.	Parent & Youth Breakout Sessions Locations: Multipurpose Room - Parent sessions; Meeting Room - Student sessions
6:50-7:05 p.m.	Parent Session I: Talking to Your Child About Personal Safety, Michelle McSwain, Program Director, Child Protection Center Practical strategies for building open communication, strengthening protective factors, and helping children feel safe talking about difficult situations.   Student Session I: I am Little Red, Marcelina Gennace, Youth Prevention Advocate, Selah Freedom
7:05-7:20 p.m.	Parent Session II: Cultivating Safety and Providing Support to Teens, Talia Casey, Victim Advocate - Prevention & Outreach, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) Creating a safe environment for children to disclose concerns and how to respond if concerns arise without judgement. Student: Trust Your Gut: Recognize. Respond. Reach Out., Roslyn Mendoza, Lead Educator, Child Protection Center An interactive session that helps middle and high school students recognize uncomfortable situations, understand healthy boundaries, trust their instincts, and know when and how to ask a trusted adult for help.
7:20-7:35 p.m.	Parent Session III: A Path to Freedom, Amanda Born, Community Awareness Liaison, Selah Freedom Student Session III: How to Help a Friend, Talia Casey, Victim Advocate - Prevention & Outreach, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) How to help a friend who may be experiencing abuse or harassment, when to involve a trusted adult and supporting peers in a safe and appropriate manner.
7:45-8 p.m.	Closing Session: Why is Internet Safety Important?, Detective Lee Wallace, North Port Police  Location: Multi-Purpose Room

Community Resource Partners

• Sarasota County Schools
• North Port Police Department - Cyber Crimes
• SPARCC - Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center
• Selah Freedom
• Child Protection Services
• City of North Port - Social Services Division
• North Port Parks & Recreation - Drug-Free Youth (D-FY)
• North Port Fire Rescue
• North Port Behavioral Health
• Teen Court of Sarasota
• Safe Children Coalition
• Holly's Hope
• Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties: Gene Matthew Club
• Girls Inc. of Sarasota County
• NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties
• Phoenix Counseling Service
• CenterPlace Health
• Rooted Therapies 

When

Location

Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd., North Port, FL, 34291, View Map