It Takes a Community to Care for Kids! “Dress Purple” on October 27
Once again this year, in the month of October, Highland Shores Children’s Aid and The Children’s
Foundation are partnering to help raise awareness that Children’s Aid Societies work together with
many other social service providers to help children, youth, and families facing challenges.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Children’s Aid Societies have played a critical role in supporting
vulnerable children, youth, and families and have often been the only service providing in-person care
during this especially difficult time. Partnerships across the social services system have proven essential
to ensuring that families continue to receive the supports they need to stay healthy and well.
On Dress Purple Day, October 27, we ask everyone across the province to dress purple to collectively
speak up and share the message that help is available, and that each one of us are part of the support and
safety net in communities that help children and families in need. This year Highland Shores Children’s
Aid is focused on awareness and the need for all families and community members to recognize the
importance of checking in on our neighbours, offering support to each other and recognizing when a call
to HSCA is important to ensure the well-being of a child or youth or provide much needed supports.
In Ontario, 89% of children who receive services from Children’s Aid Societies do so because their
families are unable to meet their physical and emotional needs. This means that the majority of families
working with Children’s Aid Societies are dealing with issues that are not related to the extreme abuse
that most people associate with Child Welfare. Some of these difficulties include mental health
concerns, addictions, social isolation, trauma and extreme financial stress.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stresses for families, and in some cases has increased
risk for the well-being and safety of vulnerable children, youth, and families. Dress Purple Day offers an
opportunity to raise awareness among children and youth, including elementary, middle, and high
school students, about their right to safety and well-being in all spaces.
Provincial classroom prevention resources are available to support teachers to engage in conversations
with students in all aspects of their lives and their networks of support. The Dress Purple Day Provincial
Classroom Resources were developed in response to inquest recommendations for age appropriate,
child-rights focused child abuse and neglect prevention materials for students
Highland Shores CAS continues to provide child protection services during the pandemic. If you have
concerns about a child, please call 1-800-267-0570.
You Can Support the Dress Purple Day campaigns by:
• Participating in the province-wide social media campaign. Hashtags include #IDressPurpleBecause,
#IBREAKtheSilence and #wecanhelp.
• Dress in Purple on October 27th.
• Learn more about how to identify child abuse or neglect by visiting www.highlandshorescas.com
