Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute plants pinwheels to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month

Rowan-Virtua Child Abuse Research Education and Service (CARES) Institute provides hope, healing, and support for children and families affected by abuse and trauma. To honor Child Abuse Prevention Month, the institute held its annual pinwheel planting ceremony outside the Rowan Medicine Building in Stratford, New Jersey on Monday, April 6. The ceremony brought together faculty, staff, students, and special guests, including Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences Vice Chancellor Richard Jermyn, CARES founder Martin Finkel and Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey (PCA-NJ) Board President Harvey Lermack to raise awareness.  

The colorful pinwheels serve as a visual symbol of hope and a public commitment to protecting children. “Each pinwheel represents why we do what we do,” said Rachel Silliman Cohen, director of the Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute. “When we plant these pinwheels, they will serve as reminders to all of us why we protect children and families and why preventing abuse is important.” 

Dr. Silliman Cohen also reflected on the institute’s long-standing impact: “For four decades, CARES has been a place of compassion, safety, and excellence for children who have suffered maltreatment. Our team sees over 1,500 children every year across southern New Jersey, providing critical support and services that change lives.” 

The ceremony offered an opportunity for the Rowan community and partners like PCA-NJ to reflect on the importance of child protection, raise awareness about the prevalence of abuse, and reaffirm a shared dedication to prevention and healing. Students and staff joined in planting pinwheels, engaging in discussions about advocacy and the role each person can play in supporting children and families. 

Through events like this, the Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute not only raises awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month but also strengthens the bonds between the community, health care professionals, and the children they serve. Its decades-long commitment ensures that survivors of abuse continue to receive the care, compassion, and hope they need to thrive.