Standing UP For Our Children - Helix Human Services Flag Raising - Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and as we step forward bring awareness to this strong topic that needs to be continually addressed, WE must remember to be vigilant 365 days a year.

Helix Human Services has been a staple in Springfield MA for 161 years strong. They continue to step up for children and families in need. I am a proud supporter and friend.

I had the great opportunity to stand on our City Hall steps along side Helix, and our mayor as I raised my voice for awareness and change. What a powerful moment it was for me as my voice was strong and my speech moving. The crowd who stood before me embracing me, cheering for me and tearing up at the reality of my personal story.

THIS IS HOW YOU GET THINGS DONE. You share your authentic truths for all to hear. Every day I will continue to advocate for child safety and mental health. WE all must do our part and step up for our youth because they need us so desperately.

That age old saying - “See Something - Say Something” YOU will be saving the life of a child.

God Bless

Lisa Zarcone

Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate - Public Speaker - CASA Advocate

Channel 22 News Link Below

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cCkfVQNrw/

Here is my speech:

Welcome Everyone: It is wonderful to see all of you here this morning coming to support our children – April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and gathering here today is so important as we bring awareness not only in the month of April but TO 365 days a year of support.

Thank you to the Helix Family for all that you do to support our youth and families 160 years strong! – Also, to Mayor Sarno thank you for your continued support in our community and mission.

I am Lisa Zarcone and I am an Adult Survivor of child abuse turned author, advocate and public speaker. When I was a young girl, I was traumatized and abused into silence, and now here I am a fierce advocate for child safety and mental health. I wrote my own memoir The Unspoken Truth sharing my personal story from the child’s point of view. I felt it was important to speak from the child’s perspective because people need to understand the depths of damage caused by abuse, neglect and trauma.

As a CASA ADVOCATE for our community, I have stepped into a different arena supporting children in the judicial system. I am now a voice for the voiceless stepping up to find positive solutions that will best service our youth and families.

I want to ask all of you this question - When a parent or guardian is struggling who helps the child? This is a very profound question, because we must look at the bigger picture. It all starts with a strong foundation in the home, and when that is being chipped away by dysfunction and personal struggles, everything starts to fall apart. The innocent victims – the children are most vulnerable. Far too many of them are falling through the cracks of a system that needs to step up and do better.

I first connected with Helix Human Services three years ago when they asked me to be a Keynote Speaker at the FIRST RISE UP CONFERENCE! I was honored to do so, and I can proudly say that I was their first EVER key note at this brand-new event. This is where our love fest began! I was so impressed by HELIX and their never-ending support and dedication to our community, children and families. I knew I found my HOME! Here we are still connecting and going strong, and I take great pride walking with them on this vital mission to save our children.

As a survivor of abuse, I can share my personal experiences of feeling lost, alone, and terrified. I never knew what was going to happen next and I lived in the unknown for years. I felt invisible to the world, and worthless – like I was not worth saving! No child should ever have to feel such depth of pain.

It was along hard road towards freedom, but I am standing here before you whole once again, with a powerful voice. I will never be silenced again, and my fight will be on going until we can knock those numbers down that continue to rise daily. Child Abuse is everywhere and when we look at the news, every single day there is a new tragic story that sickens my heart.

WE AS A COMMUNITY – need to step up and be the eyes and ears of our children. It is through awareness and education that we can break those barriers and make a difference.

THAT AGE OLD SAYING - SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING

Do not be afraid to ask the questions because you will be saving a life!