Times Observer photo by Delaney Chase Children’s Advocacy Center Executive Director Melissa McLean and the Children's Advocacy Center’s facility dog Tiger receive a proclamation from Mayor David Wortman at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

City Council issued two proclamations to commemorate Founders Day and raise awareness for child abuse prevention during Monday night’s meeting.

Mayor David Wortman declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Warren, emphasizing the community’s role in protecting children and supporting families. The proclamation underscored the long-term impact of abuse and neglect, while calling for collaboration among local organizations, schools, law enforcement and residents.

The recognition also honored the work of the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center, which has provided services to nearly 500 children since opening in 2018. Executive Director Melissa McLean spoke about the organization’s mission to coordinate investigations, support victims and work alongside community partners to address child maltreatment.

“We’d love to work ourselves out of a job,” McLean said, “but until then, we’re grateful for the support of this community.”

In a second proclamation, Mayor Wortman announced that April 18, 2026, was observed as Commemoration Day in honor of the 231 anniversary of Warren’s founding.

According to the proclamation, Warren was established through an act of the Pennsylvania legislature on April 18, 1795, and was laid out at the junction of Conewango Creek and the Allegheny River. The city was named after Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The mayor highlighted the importance of preserving local history, noting ongoing exhibits by the Warren County Historical Society, which detail the city’s early development and are part of the America 250 initiative.