18-04-2025
Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County Hosts Luminaria
FLORENCE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County is hosting a series of events this month to mark Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
Locals say they continue to fight for children's rights. At the event on Thursday, more than 3,000 luminarias were lit to represent the number of child abuse survivors that the center has served.
'We need to work together to make sure, as adults, we're taking care of kids and making sure we keep them safe,' says Kara Mcelhone, executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County.
According to the center, 25% of those they serve are under 7 years old. 80% of those they work with are sexual abuse survivors.
'We stand together to protect children so they feel safe in this world. Unfortunately, there are children who need help feeling that way. People abuse them and treat them horribly. They need to be empowered,' says Willow with Bikers Against Child Abuse.
If you would like to learn more information about the center, click here.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
