The Ever Tenous Unveiling Date

A long road is being travelled to reach the final unveiling of the "Reaching Out" Monument. There have been many false starts for a hopeful Unveiling date. A project of this size often has many obstacles to work through before completion.

The sculpting of the quilt squares and figures was completed in June of 2000. They are ready for bronze casting and placement on a site. Several promising avenues are in discussion. We will make an announcement on this web site when final commitments are made.

We would like to hold the Unveiling of the final bronze in conjunction with the annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month of October. When the final Unveiling of the bronze "Reaching Out" figures occurs it will be a meaningful landmark occasion for many people and organizations.

The purposes of the Unveiling will be to:

• Give acknowledgment and thanks to participants who have contributed to all aspects of the “Reaching Out” Monument project
• Create awareness of “Reaching Out” and provide means for the community responding to child abuse concerns to benefit from the unveiling activities.
• Promote October as annual National Child Abuse Prevention and Neglect Month.
• Promote and further position the Monument as an agent and tool of healing for survivors and understanding for the community.
• “There is currently a need for more educational activities to make the general public aware of the challenges that survivors of sexual abuse face in their day to day lives. The Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project would be an excellent venue for making people more aware of the issues.” Sasha Pedersen, Vice-president Citizens Against Sexual Child Abuse.

Acknowledge Participants, Sponsors, Patrons And Supporters

The Unveiling will be a gathering of the hundreds of people who have been part of creating and supporting “Reaching Out.” We will extend a broad invitation to survivors, the community, survivor support and child welfare professions and the media so that there is extensive liaising on a Regional and National basis. In a series of gatherings and events over the launch weekend people will have the opportunity to share and celebrate with each other and with their community. Activities being considered are: a gathering for quilt square participants and their guests; a sponsor recognition dinner; a public lecture/presentation; an agency display/fair; a fund raising event or gala; activities presented with agencies, or sponsors or partners.

Special recognition and acknowledgment will be given to donors and sponsors at events and at the “Reaching Out” Site. It is expected that a variety of sponsors will have their own unique giveaway brochure or memorabilia for the Unveiling event. We will work with sponsors to see that their materials or keepsakes are appropriately presented and distributed. The primary seating area will include representatives from Premiere sponsors and key community, political and business representatives. Sponsors will have occasions for personality and dignitary photo opportunities in front of the monument figures.

PROMOTION OF THE EVENT

A Reaching Out Project liaison staff person will work directly and through a team of volunteers to involve the Regional and National communities in the Unveiling activities and Child Abuse Awareness Month. It is expected to have a secondment of a half day a week person from a variety of agencies for coordinated development and promotion of the Unveiling and Child Abuse Awareness Month activities.

We will encourage others to make mention of the Unveiling activities in their newsletters, in house correspondence and e-mails, on their web sites and in promotional materials for Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Press releases, along with follow-up phone calls, will be sent to a wide variety of friendly media contacts. Interviews for TV and radio talk shows will be solicited. Radio, television, print, subway, bus and bus shelter PSA’s will be negotiated, prepared and distributed. The ChildAbuseMonument.org Web Site will promote the Unveiling and we are seeking support for a video streaming Internet simulcast of the launch.