Albany Day of Hope addresses child abuse

ALBANY — Victims of child abuse, law enforcement members of the ministry and others turned out Wednesday for a National Day of Hope celebration, which was presented by Open Arms Inc. at Hines Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on Madison Street in Albany.

“We come together each year on the first Wednesday in April to pray for victims of abuse,” said Rosalynn Fliggins, associate director of Open Arms. “If you can believe in the power of prayer, God can change the statistics and effects of child abuse.”

The community breakfast event began with the lighting of candles, symbolizing the five children who die each day from child abuse and neglect in the United State.

Following the recitation of a poem by Reginald Sweet depicting child abuse from the victim’s point of view and a musical presentation by Brian Jones, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Zelda Wright, minister of Greater 2nd Mount Olive Baptist Church spoke about her personal experience as a victim of child abuse.

Wright said she endured abuse from a man who her parents had brought into their home as a gesture of kindness, and later when the man became her baby sitter. Wright said that with the help of prayer, she was finally able to forgive the abuser and experience a total healing.

The one-hour event ended with a rousing spiritual led by Dawson Mayor Christopher Wright.

According to its mission statement, Open Arms, is established to bring healing, hope and help to children, adults and their families in need of support, intervention and prevention as a result of child abuse and homelessness in all forms.