H.A.V.E.N Center Hosts Grand Opening Of Little Free Library With A Dr. Seuss Celebration

By Janet Cruz

Families and children celebrated the grand opening of a Little Free Library with a Dr. Seuss celebration day filled with activities, reading and crafts hosted by the H.A.V.E.N Center in Lake Havasu City Sunday.

“The Little Free Library was an idea the Mohave County Child Abuse Prevention council had to encourage reading. To celebrate the grand opening of it we did the Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration today,” said H.A.V.E.N Center Executive Director, Mary Lou O’ Connell.

“We also want to encourage family togetherness and to get parents and families the resources they need to be good parents and caregivers through our positive parenting program.”

The Newest Little Free Library now located at H.A.V.E. N Center on McCulloch Blvd. Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

The Havasu Abuse Victims Network (H. A.V.E.N) Center houses the Mohave County Child Abuse Prevention Council which offers services throughout the county. Its mission is to promote awareness and educational opportunities for parents and caregivers by providing them resources and learning opportunities to aid in the prevention of child abuse.

“H.A.V.E.N Center, provides victim services and also prevention services so its about supporting our families in the community and giving the families the tools to succeed and strengthen their family,” O’ Connell said.

Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

Besides resources and information pamphlets, the community had the opportunity to have story time with volunteers and also create a Dr. Seuss-themed T-shirt hosted by local business The Tee Society. They also had the chance to color posters and create their own special bookmarkers.

Families participate in Dr Seuss themed activities. Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

The day also served as a day of awareness for for Child Abuse Prevention. April is usually the designated month for child abuse prevention. Volunteer Yesenia Ramirez said the event is an opportunity to promote healthy ways to spend the day together for families.

“This is a really nice way for the community to come together and also promote a love for reading,” Ramirez-Garay said. “I have volunteered since 2014 on the Child Abuse Prevention Council and every year we come up with a community project together.”

Volunteer Yesenia Ramirez Garay assists at an activity table at the Dr. Seuss Celebration Sunday. Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

“We plan to create more events in the Month of April in observance of Child abuse Prevention as well. The goal is to strengthen families so we can also strengthen communities,” O’Connell said.

H.A.V.E.N Center also provides On-Site Crisis Response Services, Domestic Violence Safety Planning, Victim Advocacy and prevention and awareness programs.

For more information on complete H.A.V.E. N Center services visit www.havencenterlhc.org.