"A Circle of Hope" will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Northridge Center, located in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Parking is available in Lot C off Zelzah Avenue.

"The circle of hope represents many things - unity, partnership, belonging, strength and the courage to work together side-by-side for children," said Kathleen Van Antwerp, a CSUN lecturer and coordinator of the seminar. "We are inviting people to become educated and aware of child abuse so they can understand what they can do in their own community on behalf of children."

The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will include presentations on identifying and helping abused children, a performance by the Limerick Elementary School chorus, and a volunteer drive for local organizations dedicated to fighting child abuse.

Speakers include Van Antwerp and Carol Kelly, coordinator of CSUN's Child Development Program.

Van Antwerp, a CSUN graduate and special education teacher, is author of the book "I Can't Come to School TodayŠMy Mom's in Prison and I Don't Have a Ride." She will talk about identifying and reporting child abuse and highlight some of the successful interventions she has initiated in her 14 years of working with children.

For more information, contact Dorn Bronson at (818) 262-9388.