Cambridge Now!

 

Don't Let A Good Thing Die

The Waterloo Regional Block Parent* Program is ready to fold its organization after more than 30 years of community involvement within the Region. The declining number of Block Parent homes, the difficulty recruiting new Board members, and the lack of financial support from the community has been extremely discouraging to the current Board of Directors. These trends must change if the Program is to be continued in Waterloo Region. We need your help and are appealing to you to volunteer today!     

 

Our mission today is the same as it always has been - to provide immediate assistance through a safety network and to offer supportive community educational programs.

 

Block Parent is a widely-recognized Program of community safety through an established partnership of volunteers, police and educators. The distinctive Block Parent logo found on window signs in residential homes has become a well-known symbol of safety and security. It signifies a responsible, police screened adult is available to provide assistance should an emergency arise. Originally designed to provide assistance to children, the Program now encompasses the needs of teens, adults and seniors as well.

 

Being a Block Parent requires that you display the window sign when you are available to assist those who find themselves in a frightening or dangerous situation and need immediate help. Block Parent volunteers are taught that they are to keep their own home safe and do not have to let people into their homes. They can assist the person in need from the front door and make that emergency phone call to the parents, police, or other agency.

 

We encourage everyone to make a personal commitment to their community by becoming a Block Parent. The Block Parent Program empowers residents to become involved in the safety of their community based on their lifestyle and strives to prevent crimes from happening so Police do not have to react to possibly tragic situations. Block Parent volunteers provide silent service as community helpers in our neighbourhoods, creating a network that provides a front-line defense to help keep our communities safe.

 

We need to hear from you before the end of March! The time to get involved is now! If the community is not willing to support this Program and assist those in need of immediate help in emergency situations then the Waterloo Regional Program will be folded in 2009. The Board of Directors will make that final decision in early April. 

 

If you would like to volunteer to be a Block Parent or serve on the Board of Directors then visit  www.blockparents.ca or call 519-745-8410 and your call will be returned.

 

* Block Parent  ® is a registered trademark