Stepping Up for Kids at the Massachusetts State House

Step Up for Kids Boston

On Tuesday, April 14, Children’s Trust, advocates, program partners, board members, and legislators gathered at the Massachusetts State House for our annual Step Up for Kids event in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

Fifty-seven pairs of children’s shoes lined the Grand Staircase — representing the average number of children confirmed as abused or neglected every day in Massachusetts. The event began with sixty-four pairs of shoes on the staircase, representing the number of children abused and neglected daily in the previous year. Seven pairs were removed to reflect the positive impact of family support programs across the Commonwealth.   

The display served as a powerful reminder of the children behind the numbers, and the urgent need to support families before challenges arise. While the data reflects real progress worth celebrating, it also underscores how much work remains. 

Prevention is Possible

Throughout the event, speakers emphasized a shared message: child abuse and neglect prevention is possible when families have access to timely, coordinated support. 

Preventing abuse requires sustained investment in programs that address root causes of child abuse and neglect such as mental health challenges, housing instability, food insecurity, and economic stress.  

“Because the reality is, families are dealing with a lot. Beyond the everyday stress of parenting, many are navigating concerns about housing, food, income, childcare, all while navigating systems that aren’t always easy to understand or access. When families can get support sooner, we strengthen families and create better outcomes for children across the Commonwealth.” 

Jennifer Valenzuela, Children’s Trust Executive Director

Celebrating Leadership and Commitment

Step Up for Kids also celebrates the important work being done in the legislature.  We were proud to recognize Senator Jo Comerford, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and Representative Jay Livingstone, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, with the Children’s Trust’s Valuing Our Children Award for their commitment to policies and funding that support children and families. 

“I’m honored to receive the Valuing Our Children Award alongside Representative Jay Livingstone, and to share this recognition with the advocates, young people, families, and colleagues who continue working every day to support children and families across the Commonwealth.” 

Senator Jo Comerford

On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Education Secretary Stephen Zrike joined us to proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Massachusetts. 

“Every child in Massachusetts deserves to grow up feeling safe and supported.” 

Education Secretary Stephen Zrike

Voices From the Field

Representatives from family support programs in Boston and Hampshire County joined us to speak about their experience working with and supporting children and families in their communities. Juanita Cox, a home visitor at Greater Boston Healthy Families, which is managed by Catholic Charities of Boston, shared the long-term impacts of family support: 

“In our role as home visitors, we are supporting families in the moment and we’re connecting them to concrete resources, but we’re also helping them build something that lasts – relationships, confidence, a sense that they’re not alone and that they can figure things out,” 

Juanita Cox, Greater Boston Healthy Families Home Visitor

Kara McElhone, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, described what has made their prevention efforts successful: 

“We’ve been able to build real relationships with schools and students over time,” said McElhone. “And what we see is that when young people have the language and support they need, they speak up. They reach out. That’s what prevention looks like – it’s not one moment, it’s something you build.”

Kara McElhone

McElhone also highlighted the role of community partnerships in making that work possible, pointing to strong collaboration between schools, service providers, law enforcement, and legislators. 

 “When you invest in prevention and support the people doing this work on the ground, it truly makes a difference.” 

Kara McElhone

The shoes displayed at the State House were generously donated by an anonymous donor and will be distributed to families participating in Children’s Trust funded programs across Massachusetts. 

What began as a visual reminder of need will continue on as tangible support for families statewide. 

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Step Up for Kids Media Coverage

• “Still too many” shoes mark toll of child abuse in Massachusetts via State House News Service