Published March 21, 2025
Elizabeth Fowler, Communications & Marketing Associate
SAFEchild Honored with Positive Childhood Alliance NC’s Inaugural Ally for Engagement and Education Award
Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) has recognized SAFEchild of Wake County with the 2025 Ally for Engagement and Education Award at its biennial Learning & Leadership Summit on March 19 at the Durham Convention Center.
The Ally for Engagement and Education Award celebrates a community-based agency that serves as a model for raising awareness and educating their community about child abuse prevention and family strengthening. This award underscores the importance of community education and engagement in creating a culture where child abuse and neglect are actively prevented through informed action and collaboration.
SAFEchild—which stands for Stop Abuse For Every Child—has demonstrated excellence in comprehensive child abuse prevention and education since its founding by the Junior League of Raleigh in 1992. As the only organization in Wake County offering a full range of child abuse prevention and intervention services to children and families at no cost, SAFEchild has established itself as an essential community resource.
“SAFEchild exemplifies what it means to be a true leader in community education and engagement around child abuse prevention,” said Sharon Hirsch, President & CEO of PCANC. “Their comprehensive approach to both prevention and intervention, combined with their commitment to making services accessible to all families, has created a model that communities across our state can learn from.”
The organization has played a pivotal role as the backbone organization for the Wake County Child Abuse Prevention Plan, known now as Community Prevention Action Plans. With Protective Factors trainers on staff, SAFEchild delivers expert education that strengthens families and communities. SAFEchild’s approach is guided by core beliefs that respect family diversity while recognizing that all families experience periods of stress and crisis. Their programs are designed to empower parents and caregivers to move toward healthy family relationships by breaking negative parenting patterns.