Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE) is inviting the community to participate in Dress Purple Day this Friday, October 25th. Once known as Child Abuse Prevention Month, this day now focuses on raising awareness for families and children in need of help.
CFSGE serves families in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. Executive Director, Sally Johnson highlight’s some challenges for such a large rural region.
Last year, the agency received more than 3-thousand calls about children in need of protection. More than 1,700 investigations were carried out, with the main issues including emotional harm from domestic violence (30%), physical or sexual harm (26%), and caregiver struggles due to substance use or mental health issues (24%).
Despite these large numbers, only 54 children were taken into their care. Johnson tells us that children being forcibly removed from their home is a misconception.
She added that most families receive ongoing support while children remain safely at home.
CFSGE helps families facing poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity by working with community partners like the food bank, our local child and youth mental health service providers, SOAR in our community, REACH in Haldimand, Norfolk, all of whom have various supports and services. And when brought together, can really wrap some supports around families. Johnson emphasizes community support is integral.
Dress Purple Day is a reminder that the community is there to help. Wearing purple on October 25th symbolizes this collective support for local families in need. Everyone can participate by wearing purple, sharing pictures on social media using hashtags #IDressPurpleBecause and #DressPurpleDay2024, and creating videos to show support.
Landmarks like the CN Tower and Niagara Falls will also light up in purple, joining CFSGE in promoting the cause.
Written by Jeremy Hall