Our November “First Sunday” collection recipient will be Prevent Child Abuse Iowa (PCAI).  PCAI works relentlessly to create a world where children don’t know fear, don’t experience neglect, and never encounter abuse. While most efforts involve treating children and families after abuse has already occurred, PCAI focuses on prevention, which research proves is a far more effective use of resources to help children reach their full potential as adults.

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa fulfills its mission through advocacy (advancing the cause of child abuse prevention among legislators, administrators, and professionals), awareness (informing the public about the effects of child abuse and methods to prevent it), and assistance (offering organizational development, program guidance and grant management to local partners).

PCAI recognizes it will take Iowans working together to ensure children are raised in safe, nurturing environments. PCAI sees community as being not only the wider community, but also the smaller communities one may be a part of, such as schools, faith-based organizations, neighborhoods, workplaces, youth centers.   Connections Matter is a community effort fostering caring relationships among children, families, and adults. First Sunday donations will support the Connections Matter program by providing free training for participants.  For more information go to  https://pcaiowa.org.

CHECKS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:   DMIEC, P.O. Box 30065, Des Moines, IA  50310

Checks can be written either to “Prevent Child Abuse Iowa” or “DMIEC” with “First Sunday” in the memo line. 

We would prefer that all checks be mailed to DMIEC. If you mail your check directly to the organization, please inform Ed Arnold of the amount, if you feel comfortable, so the Social Justice Committee can get an accurate count of donations.