By the Nisqually Valley News staff
Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto showed his support to ending the neglect of children as he officially proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the city.
During the Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, DePinto acknowledged that the city recognizes its future rests in the hands of society’s most vulnerable and cherished assets — children. He said all children deserve to live in a safe, stable and nurturing environment that promotes their healthy growth and development.
“Child abuse, neglect and other trauma are recognized as serious public health problems, affecting both the current and future quality of life in our community,” he read. “It is the responsibility of our community to ensure parents, caregivers and other adults who influence the health and well-being of children have the support, knowledge and concrete resources necessary to ensure all children thrive to their greatest potential.”
DePinto added that effective child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships among community agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, health care providers and the business community.
“We as City of Yelm residents continue our commitment to protecting all members of our community and call upon all citizens to join together to increase public safety and prevent the further abuse and neglect of our children,” DePinto said. “Be it resolved, that I, Joe DePinto, Mayor of the City of Yelm, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention month and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith partners and businesses to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and urge all Yelm citizens, communities, state agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, medical providers, educators, and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the community in which we live.”
