Tikinagan Child and Family Services is calling on the community of the 30 First Nations and the areas they serve in Northwestern Ontario to dress purple on Oct. 27.
Every October, Dress Purple Day raises awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign.
By dressing purple, you are celebrating the community that cares for families and sharing the message that no one is alone in this journey. The campaign is more important than ever, since the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stressors for families, and in some cases has increased risk for the well-being and safety of children and youth.
“On Oct. 27 dress purple to show those families who might be struggling that we are here to help,” says Thunder Bay mayor, Bill Mauro.
Sharing the hashtag #IDressPurpleBecause along with your photo on social media, we can raise awareness to the work Tikinagan and children aid societies across the province do for vulnerable youth and family and continue to support this work.
#IDressPurpleBecause
Thelma Morris, executive director of Tikinagan, says, “Tikinagan shares the sacred responsibility held by parents, extended family and community members to care for children. It is important for each child to be part of a network of caring people. This effort is guided by our service model Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin, everyone working together to raise our children.
“On a day-to-day basis, most of our child protection reports come from concerned family or community members, as well as grandparents and Elders. These are the people who are already invested and close to the child.”
Tikinagan highlights the importance of everyone working together to raise children and youth, especially in a small community.
“These invested people are involved in the future of children. And that’s what we want: we want them to be invested and part of the child’s life,” says Morris.
#DressPurpleDay
Premier Doug Ford is asking everyone to wear purple so we can all raise awareness to look out for children and youth.
“I know the pandemic has made things harder for many Ontario families which is why it is more important than ever that our friends, family and neighbours know that help is available no matter what challenge they’re facing.”
For information and resources about how you can help on Dress Purple Day or to watch the Dress Purple Day video messages from Mayor Mauro and Premier Ford, visit tikinagan.org. Anyone needing to report a child protection concern, call Tikinagan 24/7 at 1-800-465-3624.
