Judge Michael L. DeLeone and his team at Lake County Juvenile Court are excited to re-invest in Time Out Teddy. In collaboration with the Painesville Exchange Club, the Court embraces these Teddy Bears and the messages that come along with them. The National Exchange Club has found this creative way to target the prevention of child abuse by encouraging parents or caregivers to take time out to understand their child. Local Painesville Exchange Club member Richard Norton regularly works with the Court to ensure Judge DeLeone has a full supply of the teddy bears.
Time Out Teddy is an opportunity for a child to feel comforted with a teddy bear during a time-out. Just as important, parents or caregivers can receive a card with a poem and brochure to remind them to think, take time to calm, and time to realize how precious a child’s life is. Judge DeLeone supports the concept related to educating parents and caregivers on how to take a time out for themselves and the child. “The Painesville Exchange Club is a great community partner that works toward preventing child abuse” shared Judge DeLeone. The Juvenile Court regularly deals with cases of abuse and neglect.
Additionally, many of the juveniles the Court works with for unruly and delinquency matters have experienced some form of trauma. “The opportunity to pass a Time-Out Teddy to someone, child or adult, is a great way to share an important message about protecting our children” shares Judge DeLeone. One of the lines on the provided poem card reads “take time to realize how precious, how precious a little life is, how fragile a little life is. Judge DeLeone is grateful for the Court’s collaboration with the Painesville Exchange Club on this important issue.
