Darkness to Light training Aug. 31

The Pike Community Resource Network is joining the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to present Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children child abuse prevention training through the statewide prevention initiative. The training will be held Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, also known as the Old Mount Calvary Outreach Center at 480 Second St. in Concord. Stewards of Children is the only evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention training proven effective in educating adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.According to Pike Community Resource Network director Michael Powell, nearly 500 community members have taken the child abuse prevention training. He spoke to board of education members Tuesday, Aug. 12, about local training.’This is a national, evidence-based program. More than 90% of the schools’ staff are trained with 433 trained as of today,’ Powell said. ‘Pike County has been recognized with the national seal as being partners in Darkness to Light. The letter states we’re officially recognized at the national level. We’re very proud to see our school district accomplish this.’Superintendent Dr. Michael Duncan said Pike is only the third school system in the state to achieve the recognition. ’We have no greater responsibility than to do everything we can to protect our children,’ he said. Space is limited to 20 people for the Aug. 31 training session which will feature segments from both survivors and professionals working in the field. Each participant will receive an interactive workbook and a Seven Steps booklet and will take part in a facilitated group discussion.For more information, contact Michael Powell at pikecommunityresourcenetwork@gmail.com or 770-567-2930. The cost for the class is $15 per person. Checks may be made payable to Pike County’s YES Team and mailed to P.O. Box 386, Zebulon 30295.