A Field of Blue: Honoring the Lives Affected by Child Abuse

On April 2, 2025, I had the honor of supporting one of our Community Radio Outreach Partners (CROP), the Faith-Based and Community Engagement division of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), at the annual Pinwheel Planting held at the Pearland Police Department.

This event carries a weight far beyond its peaceful visuals. The blue pinwheels—delicate, almost playful—stand as a solemn symbol of something tragic: childhoods disrupted by abuse. Each one represents a child who has experienced the trauma of abuse. The planting is not a celebration. It is an act of remembrance, a call to action, and a collective moment of mourning.

I chose the word “honor” very intentionally. This was the first official event I attended in my new role as Outreach Director, and it was not one of joy or light-hearted community spirit. In 2024, Brazoria County confirmed 498 cases of child abuse. Three children’s lives were taken by their abusers.

There’s nothing celebratory about those numbers.

As I stood among the sea of spinning blue, I was surrounded by individuals who understood that same sobering reality. Representatives from Pearland Police Department, Pearland City Council, Mayor Kevin Cole, DFPS, Isaiah 117 House, BEAR (Be a Resource), and the Brazoria County Alliance for Children were in attendance. Though I didn’t get to meet everyone present, I was encouraged by the strength in numbers—the community that came together in solidarity.

Amber Cole (KJIC), Heidi Scherer (Isaiah 117), Genesis Elizondo (DFPS-FBCE), Kendall Pierce (BEAR)

During the event, Kristi Hawkins, Executive Director of the Brazoria County Alliance for Children, reminded us, “These pinwheels are a symbol of hope, a promise of brighter futures, and a powerful reminder of the work we must do to protect our children.”

So, what can we—as a community—do?

Kristi offered these simple but powerful action steps:

LEARN: Educate yourself about the signs of child abuse. Awareness is the first step to prevention.
SPEAK UP: If you suspect abuse, report it. Children need adults who are brave enough to be their voice.
BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE: Be a safe, supportive, and trusted adult in the lives of children around you.
SUPPORT THEM: Share the work of organizations like the Brazoria County Alliance for Children. Often, people only learn about them when they’re already in crisis.

As a faith-based community, we also have a unique role to play.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and on Sunday, April 27, 2025, churches across the country are invited to participate in Blue Sunday, a day of prayer for the millions of children affected by abuse and neglect. You can register your church and learn more at www.bluesunday.org.

While this event was heavy and heartbreaking, it was also a beautiful reminder: there are people who care—people who intervene, report, advocate, and walk alongside children and families in pain. It reminded me why our outreach matters. Why being present matters. Why you matter.

Let’s keep standing together, for the children who need us most.