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Link to MEDIA downloads page
MEDIA RELEASE Appeal to Public ... “Help us Keep our Communities Safe.” TORONTO, November 3, 2009: It may be the easiest volunteer job out there, and one of the most effective in keeping local communities safe for children and seniors. The Block Parent® Program of Canada is embarking on a national campaign to encourage local citizens to be Block Parent® volunteers for their neighbourhood. It’s a simple and practical approach to community safety. Linda Patterson, President of the Block Parent® Program of Canada explains ...”Community safety is on everyone’s minds these days now that the school year has begun. Safety issues can range from children being bullied on their way home from school... to life-threatening situations we unfortunately read about so regularly in our newspapers. We are appealing to the public to join the thousands of other concerned and like-minded Canadians in helping keep our communities safe.” Block Parents are responsible adults who volunteer their homes as a temporary refuge in an emergency. All Block Parents are screened by the police and provided with training and instruction on the Program by local volunteer leaders. Volunteers receive an official Block Parent® window sign to display when they are home and able to provide assistance to children in distress. When volunteers are not home or are unavailable, they simply remove their sign from display. In addition to making communities safer for children, the Block Parent® Program deters criminal activity by providing a visible reminder that citizens are watchful in their neighbourhood. There are over 28,000 Block Parent® homes in 265 communities throughout Canada. While this is an impressive reach for a volunteer organization, it still leaves hundreds of communities across the country without the front-line protection of the Block Parent® Program. This campaign is directed to engaging more volunteers who care about community safety and want to make their street or neighbourhood a safer place to live. For over 40 years, the Block Parent® Program has been helping make communities safer. Throughout Canada, the predominantly red and white Block Parent® sign is a symbol of a safe refuge where assistance is available. Police, government departments, educators, sponsors and volunteers support the Block Parent® goal of providing safer communities for children and other citizens. For more information go to www.blockparent.ca -30 - The media is being asked to help with this campaign by displaying recently
prepared public service announcements on line or in print. These announcements
can be downloaded by visiting: www.blockparent.ca/MEDIA/downloads.htm. Media contact: National Office: 50 Dunlop Street E. Lower Level, Barrie, ON L4M 6J9 Media Release National Block Parent® Week – October 25th to 31st,
2009
The Block Parent® Program of Canada is proud to have helped protect local communities across Canada for the past 41 years. Our history proves that the Program works and is needed now more than ever. The Program provides immediate assistance through a safety network as well as by offering supportive community education programs. This is accomplished by the dedication and commitment of its volunteers working closely with police and educators. The easily recognizable red and white logo still remains a symbol of safety and security to those in need. The implementation of enhanced safety features on the Block Parent® window sign has prepared the Program for the future by ensuring the continued safety of each Block Parent® home. In addition, any employee working at a small business that displays a Business Block Parent® decal must also have passed a security check. During National Block Parent® Week we are encouraging everyone to become a Block Parent® and help us to continue to protect communities coast to coast. Once the screening and approval process has been successfully completed, the Block Parent® is instructed to display their window sign whenever they are available to assist in an emergency situation. For more information on how you can become involved in making Canadian communities safer for everyone, please visit our website at www.blockparent.ca. Proud of Our Past…. Prepared for the Future To view additional press releases or access downloadable public service announcements please visit: http://blockparent.ca/MEDIA/downloads.htm Media Contact: Linda Patterson
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® "Block Parent"and the Block Parent® symbol are registered trade marks of Block Parent® Program of Canada Inc. Block Parent® Program of Canada Copyright © 1968 All rights reserved. |