Dress Purple Day at Peel CAS

MISSISSAUGA, ON (October 28, 2022) - Peel Children’s Aid Society (CAS) celebrated Dress Purple Day on October 27 at the new Trailblazers Youth Centre on Capston Drive in Mississauga. CAS staff, youth, and community partners were invited to recognize the important roles played by child welfare professionals, individuals, and communities in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families.

“Together with our staff and community partners, we dress purple to celebrate a community that cares for families and share the message that help is available and no one is alone,” said Mary Beth Moellenkamp, Acting CEO of Peel CAS. “Today, and every day, we focus on centering the voices of our children and youth and eradicating all forms of oppression and discrimination. Together we will continue to speak up for every child and youth’s right to safety and well-being in all spaces.”

Dress Purple Day is a provincial initiative intended to raise awareness that Children’s Aid Societies are part of the circle of care that supports the well-being of children, youth, and families. Child welfare agencies work together with many other social service providers to help young people, and their caregivers, who are facing challenges. Peel CAS is proud to partner closely with many other community organizations to assist families in our region. We were pleased to welcome Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, who spoke about our collaborative work towards Peel’s community safety and well-being plan. Gurpreet Malhotra, CEO of Indus Community Services also joined us to present on the importance of culturally competent services and wraparound support networks.

Attendees learned about Peel CAS’s innovative Early Help project, which is closely tied to the goals of the Province of Ontario’s Child Welfare Redesign to strengthen families and communities through prevention and early intervention. The Early Help project involves taking action to support a child, young person, or their family at an early stage by connecting them to community-based resources and supports before vulnerabilities become difficult to manage. In partnership with community agencies, it is our goal that early help and prevention will increase positive outcomes for the families we serve while reducing the number of children and youth that come into care.

On Dress Purple Day, everyone is invited to wear purple to show their commitment to doing their part to help children, youth, and families in their communities, including sharing photos and videos on social media with the hashtag, #IDressPurpleBecause. Together, we can share the message that help is available and we all need to work together to support families and look after kids.

For more information on Dress Purple Day, visit PeelCAS.org/DressPurple

Media Contact:

Mallory Antonello
Communications Consultant
Peel Children’s Aid Society
905-302-3481
mantonello@peelcas.org