The 10th annual March for Children, which helps bring awareness to the issue of child abuse and highlights the local agencies and individuals that work to keep children safe, and the Casa de los Niños family fiesta drew about 2,000 people to Reid Park Sunday morning.
About 200 people participated in the march, some carrying colorful signs with child abuse prevention messages.
Organizations, individuals and families were honored with Child Abuse Prevention awards at the event.
Mike and Andrea Graham were one couple who were given an award for their contributions as foster parents.
During their nine years as foster parents, the Grahams have helped about 35 children, many with developmental disabilities and medical issues.
The Graham’s also have five biological children, two adopted foster children and a medically fragile foster child they are going to adopt at the end of the month.
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“We are strong Christians and we truly believe our calling is to be loving on these kiddos and hopefully blessing their families by helping these children while their families are hopefully getting their live back together,” Andrea Graham said.
Lance Meeks, a former caseworker with Child Protective Services now called the Division of Child Safety and Family Services, won an award for his work with the agency.
Meeks worked for nearly three years with the agency. His last position included working with youth who did not want to be adopted and who were not going to be reunified with their parents.
“We provided the youth with the assistance they needed to make sure they were prepared for turning 18,” he said.
Meeks was nominated for the award by a young man whose case he oversaw.
“I’m definitely honored to be presented with the award,” he said. “I would say that in my working with young adults and young people, I’m very fortunate to be able to make an impact. I feel like I’ve been able to gain a good rapport with the youth. They’ve given me a sense of hope, that no matter what any individual’s situation is, there may be be growth,” he said.
Meeks recently started a new job with Goodwill of Southern Arizona, where he will work with young adults who have been involved in juvenile justice programs.
The event is sponsored by Aviva Children's Services, Casa de los Niños, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Community Partnership of Southern Arizona.
A fiesta, which followed the mile-long march, featured children's performing groups, games, kids' activities, safety and wellness displays and a car show.
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