Summer is a season for outdoor adventures, playground fun, neighborhood walks, and making memories. At Crittenton Center, we believe children should be able to enjoy all of those experiences while staying healthy and protected.
That's why we're grateful to once again partner with the Iowa Cancer Consortium through its Sun Safety Community Grant Program. Through this year's award, Crittenton Center received three gallons of sunscreen for each of our locations in Sioux City, Le Mars, Orange City, and our Transitional Therapeutic Home shelter program.
This support helps ensure that children and youth participating in our programs have access to sunscreen before heading outdoors throughout the summer months.
While sunshine offers many benefits, it also brings exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. According to health experts, many cases of skin cancer can be prevented through simple habits such as using sunscreen, seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding sunburns.
At Crittenton Center, sun safety is about more than sunscreen. It is an opportunity to teach children healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Throughout the summer, staff members will reinforce age-appropriate sun safety practices and help children understand the importance of protecting their skin while enjoying outdoor play.
The impact of this grant extends across all of our programs, reaching children and youth served through our child development centers and shelter services. By removing barriers to sunscreen access and incorporating sun safety education into daily routines, we can help families feel confident that children are protected while in our care.
We are grateful to the Iowa Cancer Consortium for investing in the health and well-being of Iowa's children and families. Their commitment to prevention and education helps organizations like ours create safer environments for the children we serve every day.
As temperatures rise and summer activities ramp up, we encourage families to remember the basics of sun safety:
Together, we can help children enjoy all the fun that summer has to offer while building healthy habits that support their well-being for years to come.
Thank you to the Iowa Cancer Consortium for helping us keep kids safe under the sun.