The Airdrie Block Parent Program is shutting down after almost 10 years of serving the community.

 

The program served as a community safety net, offering kids a safe space with supportive block parents during times of distress. Volunteers would go through vulnerable sector checks to become block parents and put a block parent sign in their window signalling if anybody needed a safe space to be, they could go there.

AirdirePhoto of what the sign might have looked like.

The inaugural Block Parent Program was initiated in London, Ontario, in 1968. Over the subsequent five years, the program experienced swift expansion throughout Canada. In 1983, a national committee was established, leading to the official incorporation of the Block Parent Program of Canada in 1986. The Airdrie program came to life in 2015 by Lindsey Coyle who was the founder and president.

"Over the years we had anywhere from 50-100 block parents willing to help out if need be."

While the program was initially created to help kids when needed, Coyle stated that Airdrie's program would help anybody who needed it.

"Adults would use the program during inclement weather because they know what block parents are. If they were out for a run and got hurt, they would find a block parents so they could call their spouse to come and get them or things like that."

Coyle stated overall, block parents didn't have many dire instances of kids needing help. They did have one situation where victim services had to be called.

Before COVID, the block parents would attend city-wide events like AirdrieFest where they would help parents find children that ran from their parents to enjoy the activities.

According to Coyle, the reason for the program coming to an end is because she unfortunately is unable to maintain the role as president and nobody is willing to step up.

"We had plenty of volunteers willing to be block parents, but not to take it on any further which is completely understandable."

Coyle stated she is also struggling with proving the validity of a safety net because most people just use cell phones as a safety net now.

A big thank you is extended from Coyle to all the block parents who were willing to open their homes to those in distress over the years.

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