LCCC to host annual breakfast

LYNN – The Lynn Community Connections Coalition is set to host its 8th annual Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Breakfast next month, with a special focus on shaken baby syndrome and preventing abuse by new parents.The April 6 breakfast will feature speeches from a host of experts and community leaders, including Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr., Child Advocate Gail Garinger and Department of Children and Families Commissioner Angelo McClain. The breakfast will also feature a presentation by Dr. Gary Calhoun, Director of Training for the Children’s Trust Fund.Shaken Baby Syndrome is a common form of abuse, mostly by inexperienced and young parents battling the frustrations of trying to raise their first child.Even if a parent shakes a baby during a momentary loss of composure, the act can cause permanent brain damage and even kill the child.Through a Web site called onetoughjob.com, the Children’s Trust Fund offers support and advice for parents struggling to raise their children and offers hot lines that parents can call if they are frustrated by a crying child.According to the trust fund, abuse and neglect are the leading cause of death for children under four years of age in America and the organization estimates over 100,000 cases of abuse each year in Massachusetts – or one child abused every five minutes.The breakfast will also focus on the reporting of abuse, as many cases go unnoticed because children or family members are too afraid to say anything.The breakfast is hosted by the Lynn Community Connections Coalition in conjunction with the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, The Children’s Trust Fund and the Lynn Police Department.The event will take place Monday, April 6 from 8 -10 a.m. at the Lynn Housing Authority Community Room, 10 Church St.Space is limited so those who are planning to attend are asked to contact Evalynn So at 781-477-2902 or email [email protected] no later than March 20.