Thornwell Champions Children and Families for 150 Years, Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
Annual Awareness Month Encourages Everyone to Support Families and Children
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for reflection and a reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility. Thornwell is proud to join Children’s Trust of South Carolina in raising awareness and taking action to ensure all children grow up safe, supported and able to reach their full potential.
At Thornwell, we believe prevention starts with being proactive,” said Rev. Myron Wilkins, President and CEO of Thornwell. “Family changes everything in a child’s life. When communities come alongside families with encouragement, resources, and support, children are safer and able to thrive.”
Child abuse and neglect affect every county in South Carolina. Research consistently shows that children are safer when families have access to supportive relationships, parenting resources, and strong community connections. As partners at Children’s Trust often say, children are safe when families are strong—and families are strong when communities wrap them in love and support.
Through its continuum of care, Thornwell connects families with programs and services that strengthen relationships, build resilience, and help children thrive in safe and nurturing environments. By empowering families with the tools and support they need, Thornwell works every day to help create stronger families and stronger communities – preventing child maltreatment.
Strong families mean strong communities,” said Rev. Wilkins. “Thornwell has been able to adapt our programs over the last 150 years to meet the evolving needs of children and families.”
Community members can join Thornwell in championing children in three simple ways:
- Raise Awareness by sharing community resources with family, friends, and community leaders.
- Connect Communities by helping families access supportive programs, services, and belonging.
- Support and Educate by sharing family-focused materials and contributing to organizations that strengthen families.
Together, these small but meaningful actions help create communities where children and families can thrive. To learn more about Thornwell’s work, access family resources, or support its mission to strengthen families and communities, visit https://thornwell.org/child-abuse-prevention-month/
According to the South Carolina Department of Social Services, there were 12,269 children with substantiated maltreatments in 2024-2025. The impact of childhood trauma lasts a lifetime. We know that childhood adversity has long-lasting negative health effects into adulthood which is why Thornwell continues to join prevention partners to show their commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect. Thornwell believes that all children should thrive, live in secure families, and be surrounded by supportive communities.