Raising Awareness in April

Monthly Community Service Hours Completed: April 10 hours

Cumulative Spring Semester Hours Completed: 23 hours

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse survivors and promoting education on prevention. I felt especially grateful to participate in a youth educational event during this important month.

The "Safe and in Charge" program, organized by the Louisiana Firefighters Foundation based in Baton Rouge, trains Louisiana youth in safe babysitting practices, as well as CPR and first aid skills. This particular class was hosted at Lane Medical Center in Zachary. It was exciting to see such a large turnout — we even had a waiting list! So, it was safe to say everyone worked very hard to have a successful day with this large group.

This was my second time volunteering with the Louisiana Firefighters Foundation for this program. As an instructor, my primary responsibilities included demonstrating CPR techniques, choking maneuvers, and hemorrhage control. Beyond hands-on skills, the curriculum also covers decision-making, establishing good safety habits, cyber safety, and how to effectively communicate with dispatchers during emergencies. One key part of the training involves practicing a safety call to a guardian, using the phrase “I’m all set” to discreetly signal that the child feels unsafe.

It is powerful to witness this generation build confidence as they learn how to protect themselves and those they care for. I truly believe this class is incredibly beneficial for the youth of Louisiana, and I look forward to continuing to volunteer with this impactful organization.




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