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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-04-08, Page 10PAGE': 8 -( ODER1('H SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, AI'I-til, 8, 1987 Feature rove _ mg BY LOU -ANN HOPE Providing a safe haven for children in distress is what being involved with Block Parent's is all about. '•We're there to give support to a child in need," explained Joy McKee, co-chairman of the Goderich Block Parent program. Operating in Goderich since 1982, the local chapter of the Ontario Block Parent Association now •has 80 approved Block Parent homes throughout the town although snore 'comes are always needed. STARTING THE GODERICH PROGRAM McKee, assisted by Goderich resident Lori Riggin, began organizing the local Block Parent Association in the spring of 1982. • • 1 belung;ed to the Sorority club and we hull been hoping to start a 'streetproofing your child' program. I called the local police for some information and Police Chief Patrick King mentioned the Block Parent program and it went from there,' McKee said, adding that she later learned of an earlier Block Parent' program .in • Goderich that had since "fallen • to the ' side. •' Ry ,June of 1982, not only had they receiv- ed. approval to start the program from town council and' the police department, but they also had 20 persons interested in being a Block Parent. • "We received start-up money from town council, the police association and the Sorority," she said, adding this•allowed for the purchase of the red and white Block Parent signs for,the hornes. , 13y the time the newly-forrned Block Parent Association held their first public meeting' in September of 1982, -there were 40 •approved Block' Parent homes in town. ,t Although there,seemed to be Tittle pro- blem getting persons interested in becom- ing Flock Parents, there was the issue. of funds needed for the purchase of such items as window signs, highway signs, educational• videos and books as well .as posters teacher's manuals and classrbom aids. • "We sent letters to local clubs and' associations askingfor donations that woulal enable us to purchase such items as fe even for the highway signs tor the entrances of town,•' McKee said, adding that the group received a lot of support and help from the local government and police department. }3v the faliof 1983, the local program was well underway. In Octub'er of 1983, the local organization • became an official member of the Ontario Block Parent Association} and a committee was established to operate. the local program. In the program's five years of operation, the number of Block Parent horses has risen from 20 .to its present total of 80. McKee noted, however, the total has re- mained at 80 fur the -past few years.. She explained that although the' program has had new Block Parent homes approved, some of the previous families involved in the program have moved away. •'We .have a stable system," she said. "However, the town is growing in popula- tion and it appears to be progressing so we. could likely use more Block Parent hussies." HOW TO BE A BLOCK PARENT ••There is a lot of apathy in this town, I feel. .1 think people think. there is a lot of . work being a Block Parent but there's riot," McKee said. An early letter distributed to the citizens •. of Goderich gave a ..simple yet effective description of a Block'Parent. • It said, ''A Block Parentis any responsibleadult who cares enough about the well-being of children and other persons, to volunteer his or her home as a safe refuge when a need arises. A sign in the window lets children in distress know that a Block Parent is home to provide a haven. And even when these is no cause for con- cern, the sign can act as a deterrent to potential offenders who can quickly con- clude that the neighbourhood has it's own safety support system." ' Applications for the Block Parent pro- gram are available at the.local schools, the • Goderich Police Department and from any Block Parent Executive member. The ap plication must be filled. out by each. member of the household who is 16.years of age and over. rs gsa1 -•-Every member of the household 16 and over has to be approved in order for the home to be a Block Parent household," McKee explained. Approval is given. to all applications that receive a clear review from a police com- puter check. Once approval is given, the new Block Parent is given a Block Parent kit. which includes the window sign, door sticker and other information, including emergency telephone numbers, as well as a fan out alert kit I which will be described later ). McKee describes the duties of a Block Parent rather simply. - "If you are at Nine and. are available, there the Block Parent sign should be in a • window that is easily visible from the street. If you're not • at. home or are 'unavailable, then remove the sign. The worst thing that can happen toa child is to go to a door where there is a sign and not -have anyone answer the door." The sign indicates a Block Parent is• at 'tome and is there to provide help should a child or other p.erson feel they needhelp. . Children • are taught ab.outh Block Parents at school.- They learn Block • Parent •homes are there for a specific need. The horses are to be used•if the child • is being harassed,'frightened by someone,• . being followed, if they.are ill or if, for ex-• ample, they .are locked out.of their home,_ • • When pehpre think of. Block Parents, they think of . children but it's not necessarily that way. Anyone in need can • use a Block Parent home: Iii cities, senior . • citizens use them," McKee said.. • • DON'T DO POLICE WORK "We're I Block Parents(' there to give support to a child in need. We're not there to do the police's,work. We're there ju•st.as a safe •house for that child. A Block Parent home is just a safe haven," McKee said. She: explained Block Parents • are ' re-• ' quires( to telephone the police ,should the •child report that he is being followed.' Block Parents ;will •also call the • child's family. Any time a child or person •uses a •Block'Parentis.hotne, a report is made out.. to be kept on file' with the Block Parent • executive. Cvve yo C�� I aye rev 1.1 Pare rog 111 In die nap of (Roderick shown above, an "x" marks the loc tion of a shock Parent bonnie. Currently,. there are 80 stleh locations throughout 'the town. • . • FAN -OUT ALERT Another aspect of the Block' Parent pro- gram is that of the .fan -out alert' program. "It is a search system for missing • children, seniors or stolen. vehicles.''. McKee said. . • The system involves every .11lock Parent• • Turn to page 9 Mr. Bruce Williams Middi•eton's Hon -Ie Furnishings, inc. . • at THE HOME.PLACE in Wingham,'has 2 big announcements, to make. We are.p(eased to inform you that Mr Bruce Williams has recently join- ed our staff as'general manager . - . 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