HOUSTON – Three million child abuse cases involving six million children are reported in the United States each year. That's why Child Abuse Prevention month is more than just a slogan.
In Harris County there were nearly 25,000 reported cases of child abuse last year involving more than 30,000 children.
April is Child Abuse Prevention month. It's a time to look at the causes and solutions to a problem that threatens the very future of our children.
Lidya Osadchey is the CEO of the ESCAPE Family Resource Center. She talks about the proactive mission of her organization to train parents about how to parent and how to deal with the stresses of life and the challenge of successfully raising children.
"All our programs are dedicated to one thing only, educating families, educating parents, and children, grandparents, adoptive parents.. fathers, whatever the composition of the family is," Osadchey said. "It's giving them the skills so they will prevent the pain not just to their children but themselves."
It is good information for parents, those who plan to be parents or those who know parents.
Also this week, you know him as Mattress Mac, the owner and energetic pitchman of Gallery Furniture. But Jim McIngvale is also a new father after adopting a daughter.
Mac is passionate about adoption and the role it can play in helping to provide hope and success to a whole generation of children.
"Understand it's going to be a battle and a blessing, and there's going to be set backs along the way," he said about the adoption process. "Be prepared for those setbacks, but it's such a wonderful thing to do."
Mac, now 63, says this new role has given him new energy and the anticipation of seeing his daughter succeed.
Watch Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall every Sunday at 10 a.m. following Meet the Press with David Gregory.
More Information:
- Jim McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, 281-888-8078
- Lidya Oschadchey, CEO of ESCAPE Family Resource Center, 713-942-9500