April sparks spotlight alcoholism, autism, poetry, jazz and many more social justice, health and arts awareness initiatives. Sparks also electrify awareness for the environment, sexual assault, child abuse and distracted driving. Designated days include Earth Day, World Health Day and Walking Day, to name just a few. Here’s a topline of April’s finest.

April sparks spotlight alcholism, poetry, autism, jazz

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH – celebrates poetry’s vital place in our culture. Born out of inspiration by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the Academy of American Poets founded National Poetry Month in 1996. It has become the largest literary celebration in the world with tens of millions of readers, schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, bloggers and poets celebrating the designated month. To join the celebration and for inspiration, visit the National Poetry Month’s ’30 Ways to Celebrate’ page, click here.

Alcohol Awareness month

NATIONAL ALCOHOLISM MONTH – Established in 1987 by The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCAAD) to help reduce the stigma often associated with alcoholism. The objective is to encourage communities to reach out to the public each April with information about alcohol, alcoholism and recovery. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease, genetically predisposed and fatal if untreated. However, people can and do recover. It is estimated that as many as 20 million individuals and family members are living lives in recovery!

“Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage’” is this year’s theme. April will be filled with local, state, and national events aimed at educating people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism — particularly among our youth — and the important role that parents can play in giving kids a better understanding of the impact that alcohol can have on their lives. For a complete event guide click here.

April sparks spotlight

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH – This nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination began by the Autism Society. As the nation’s leading grassroots organization, they raise awareness and advocate for persons with ASD so that they, too, have the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. Each year, tens of thousands face an autism diagnosis.

The 2018 focus is to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation — inclusion in schools and communities that results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people. One step closer to a society where those with ASDs are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts.

April sparks spotlight alcoholism, poetry, autism, jazz

April 2nd is World Autism Day. This is the signature campaign of Autism Speaks. They are joined every year by the international autism community and recognize the UN-sanctioned day and World Autism Month by encouraging everyone and every entity to ‘light blue’ in support of people living with autism. Thousands of iconic landmarks and buildings join hundreds of thousands of homes and communities around the world to “light blue”.

April sparks spotlight alcoholism, poetry, autism, jazz

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH (SAAM) – this initiative raises public awareness about sexual violence and educates communities on how to prevent it. The 2018 Theme for the Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign is “Embrace Your Voice”! Building on the success of last year’s campaign “engaging new voices”, this theme was a natural next step. Our words shape the world around us. How we talk about sexual violence matters. This campaign will provide the tools and resources needed so individuals and communities can use their voice to make a true impact and become an agent for change.

April sparks spotlight alcoholism, poetry, autism, jazz

JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH (“JAM”) – was created at the National Museum of American History in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April. JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more.

This year, JAM invites all jazz fans and appreciators to look beyond the music to the dynamic ways jazz has played a transformative role in social justice, musicians’ rights, and equality. 2018’s featured JAM artist this year is producer Norman Granz who devoted his life to civil rights and equality – within the music industry and beyond. This is the first time in JAM history that they are featuring a non-musician as the lead for the celebratory month.

April’s showers have always Socially Sparked® our lives. Whether you fancy the arts, health or social issues, April 2018 offers opportunities in all sectors to carry on the Spark. — We are 4 Ever Socially Sparked! Tweet us @sosparkednews