Block Parents of Canada |
In 1968, following the disappearance and subsequent death of a young boy in London Ontario the Block Parent program was started by a group of women whose goal was to provide for the safety of children through a network of prevention and community involvement. This idea quickly expanded over the country during the next few years.
In 1983 a national committee was formed and the Block Parent Program of Canada became incorporated in 1986.
The Block Parent Program of Canada Inc. is an affiliation of 12 registered Block Parent Committees, one from each Province and Territory. In turn, these committees have over 1100 community members across Canada. Each committee operates the Block Parent program in accordance with the Bylaws and Policy of the Block Parent Program of Canada. There are over 500,000 police-screened Block Parents in Canada.
Block Parent is the largest volunteer operated, child safety-crime prevention program in Canada. Block Parent homes are easily recognized with the familiar red and white sign in their windows.
The Block Parent Program of Canada's Mission Statement, is to provide immediate assistance through a safety network and to offer supportive community education programs.
The mandate of the Block Parent Program is to provide a network of police-screened, easily recognizable, safe homes for members of the community, especially children, to turn to in times of distress; to educate children about the Program, safety on the streets and safety within the home; to develop promotions and materials to educate the community about the program, latch key children and streetproofing; and to work together with the police, educators and other community groups toward safer communities.
Block Parents are responsible adults who care sufficiently about the well-being of children and others to volunteer their homes as a refuge in an emergency.
All Block Parents are screened by the police and are given instructions on the program by local volunteers.
The Block Parent window sign is shown only when someone over the age of 18 is available to answer the door. If the sign is not displayed, this does not mean that no one is home, only that the Block Parent is not available to offer immediate assistance.
In addition, to the primary goal of making communities safer for children, the Block Parent Program deters criminals and troublemakers. The network of Block Parent homes is a visible reminder that citizens are watchful in their neighbourhood.
Block Parent volunteers are not expected to: provide food, toilet facilities or transportation administer first aid leave their home to break up a fight open their door to anyone if they feel uneasy about the situation.
A block Parent may be called upon to offer their home as a place of safety when someone is in a dangerous or frightening situation such as: bullied lost, hurt or ill caught in severe weather frightened by a stranger.
A Block Parent assists persons in distress by telephoning the appropriate emergency service (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) when necessary.
Some Commonly asked questions regarding Block Parent are:
"Can I be a Block Parent if I work all day?
Yes! Displaying the window sign for only a few hours a week will help. Block Parents are always needed - on weekends, after school, during the day and in the evening.
"Do I have to open my door to strangers?
No! If you feel uneasy about the situation, ask for information through the locked door. The individual can stay outside while you call the Police or other necessary person. Your safety is the most important issue.
"Aren't there enough Block Parents already?
No! There need to be several Block Parent homes on every block to ensure that at least one Block Parent is available at any one time.
"I will always help - sign or no sign.
Of course! But children are taught to be cautious of strangers. A home displaying a Block Parent sign means a "safe stranger" can help them.
"Do I have to be a parent?"
No! If you care about safer communities and are over the age of 18, you could be a Block Parent.
