Dress Purple Day

Tuesday, 27 October 2020 01:15

Everyone is encouraged to wear purple today and share your outfit on social media with #IDressPurpleBecause.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Children's Aid Society of Oxford County is reminding everyone to wear purple today, Tuesday October 27th.

Executive Director Tina Diamond says they like to raise awareness every October and have been asking people to wear purple for years. She notes this year it is especially important during the pandemic.

"We have learned that so many people in Ontario and many here in Oxford County don't know where to turn to for help. The pandemic has really wreaked havoc on people and people are struggling. So when a research study showed us that families need help but don't necessarily know where to turn, we decided to make the most out of a month that we had already set aside. So we are asking people to wear purple to show that they are here to help and to show people that they care."

Diamond says they have issued a challenge to all of the leaders in our community to wear purple today and share it on social media using the #IDressPurpleBecause, by doing this, you are sending a message to children and youth in the community that you are not alone.

Diamond says isolation has caused a lot of problems for young people in our community.

"Children, families, youth, who had contact with community partners, or even their own family and peer groups prior to the pandemic are at home, isolated, trying to stay safe but essentially what that has done, it isolates them from the supports they had to help keep their family healthy and increase the well being of the children and youth that live there. We are hearing concerns about financial insecurity, food concerns, housing instability and just struggles, where supports aren't available like they were, prior to the pandemic."

Diamond says CAS was not getting as many calls as normal during the height of the pandemic.

"We do count on our community partners and members of the community to let us know if they see something that makes us feel a little uneasy or if they have concerns, with everybody staying inside to keep their health safe, we didn't have all those extra set of eyes that help us work together to create that circle of care and keep children and youth safe."

CAS Oxford has noticed more calls since school started back up and people are interacting a little more. What they really want people to know is that the staff is still working and they are open and ready to offer their help and support. You can find more information about CAS Oxford online here.