Family Day puts focus on children’s Right to a Caring Home Environment
On February 15, 2010, Ontario will mark its 2nd Family Day and in Peel, Success By 6 Peel (www.successby6peel.ca/) is saying more needs to be done to ensure that all children feel secure and are loved and cared for.
There are many threats to the security and safety of children, including Postpartum Mood Disorder (PMD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), child safety and neglect. In their report, Status of Children in Peel 2009, Success By 6 reported that according to Peel Children’s Aid, between 2008 and 2009 there were 5,000 investigations related to children who might be in need of protection. PMD affects 1 in 5 women in Peel Region and an estimated 160 babies were born with FASD in 2007 in Peel.
“Research has shown that it is the home that sets the pattern for a child’s attitude towards people and society, and a caring home environment is critical in the years from age 0 to six,” says Success By 6 Peel director Elena DiBattista. “Success By 6 Peel volunteers and partners are working to address and alleviate these serious issues.”
In honour of Family Day and the Right to a Caring Home Environment, Success By 6 Peel will be making special deliveries of teddy bears, and a copy of the Peel Children’s Charter of Rights (www.powersitefactory.com/successby6peel/pdf/pccr_eng_col.pdf) to both the Peel Children’s Centre and Peel Children’s Aid. “The teddy bears were a donation from Proctor and Gamble – Wella Professionals, through the United Way of Peel Region, and are a wonderful symbol of the caring home environment that is crucial in every child’s upbringing,” said Ms. DiBattista.
About the Peel Children’s Charter of Rights
Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and A Canada Fit for Children as road maps, Success By 6 Peel embarked on a journey in 2006: to give all children in Peel a voice in matters that affect them. The process of developing this credo meant engaging children and adults in creating a Charter that truly reflects the diverse population of children in Peel Region and shines a light on their needs. The resulting Peel Children’s Charter of Rights is recognized as a model for community engagement and children’s advocacy.