April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Mayor Sam Fugate will make a proclamation Monday recognizing this month in Kingsville.

The Brush Country CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) will be holding a few events this month in light of the celebration starting with a Candlelight Vigil, Wednesday at the Kleberg County Courthouse at 7 p.m., to honor children that have been abused and/or neglected.

“We will gather to honor the life of Clayton Durham, the 12 year old Ricardo boy that lost his life in the hands of his father and step mother,” Lezette Villarreal, Brush Country CASA Trainer and Recruiter said. “We will be honoring Clayton’s short life by placing a plaque and planting a tree in front of the courthouse so we will never forget his precious life. “

The 5th annual Kingsville- Kleberg County Children’s Festival will be held Saturday April 24, at the Dick Kleberg Park Recreation Building from 11 a.m. to 3 p m.

Everything is free to the public and there will be food, games, and much more for the entire family.

The Kleberg County Child Welfare Board, the Kingsville CPS office, and local community leaders are sponsoring the event.

Sunday, April 25, Brush Country CASA is asking all local churches to help recognize Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month by taking a few minutes out of their service to say a few words about child abuse and neglect.

Brush County CASA is a non-profit organization which answers to the needs of children who have been abused, neglected, and removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and the court.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a Judge to represent the best interest of a child in Court.

Children helped by CASA volunteers also include those for whom home placement is being determined in Juvenile Court.

There are over 600 child abuse victims in the Brooks, Duval, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Jim Wells Counties.

Kleberg County had 151 confirmed child abuse victims in 2009, saw 120 children removed, and 87 were put in foster care.

The next training classes for CASA volunteers will start Monday, April 12 and will continue being held on the April 15, 19, 22, and 26; class time will be from 5:30- 9:30 p m. each day.

Volunteers must be 21 years of age, pass criminal and CPS background checks, obtain 32 hours of training, 2 hours of courtroom observation, and 4 hours of CPS ride-a-long.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Lezette Villarreal at 595-7233 or e-mail recruiter. trainer@sbcglobal net or visit their website at www. becomeacasa.org.