16 = Terrace Review —— Wednesday, October 23, 1991 Norma Bohle: By putting a sign in your window, you're scaring trouble away.. A Picture’s Worth... a Thousand Thanks Foster Care British '{ Columbia yz Province of British Columbia x Ministry of Social Services and Housing Parent Week October 20-26 In British Columbia there are more than 3000 foster families providing caring, stable homes for children temporarily in need. This year, 10 of those families received the Lieutenant- Governor's Foster Families Award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions. For the rest, the rewards are less public — a smile here, a hug there. But this is Foster Parent Week, and we're going public now with a heartfelt thank you to all the foster families in British Columbia. Most people already have the basic knowledge and skills to be a foster parent. It also takes patience and commitment to meet the challenge. If you've got what it takes... please call us. 1-800-663-9999 Block parents give local kids" a safe haven | _ by Stephanie Wiebe — When Norma Boble came home late one afternoon, she noticed a young boy walking along the road- side. By the time Bohle had unloaded her car, the boy had ‘walked just. beyond her yard. He suddenly stopped, looking bewil- dered, and began to cry loudly. Bohle walked over to assist. The boy became hysterical, screaming at the intimidating approach of this stranger. "Quick!" Bohle called to her son. "Put the Block Parent sign in the window!" She carefully retreated, and as the reassuring sign appeared in the front window, - the lost boy walked up to Bohle’s front door and knocked. Bohle went in her back door, came through the house, and opened the front door. The boy trusted her now. In his eyes, Bohle had turned from a stranger into a “safe stran- ger", and she was able to help him. Children know they can trust Block Parents. Bohle is the "top" Block Parent in this region — for the past five years, she has served as district coordinator for the Block Parent program in Terrace, Thomhill, Copper Mountain and . the Kalum Reserve. She describes it as a "passively active" program. "We don’t solicit business," she explains. This is understandable — that "business" involves children in distress. Block Parenting is a simple job. A sign in the window identifies a place where children can go for help. According to Bohie, "That sign says that you are a ’safe Stranger’." To ensure that Block Parents are “safe strangers", each person over the age of 16 in a Block Parent home is confidential- ly checked out by the RCMP. This maintains the claim that a Block Parent home is truly a safe place to go. When a Block Parent is available for assistance, the sign goes up in the window. The program works. Last year in the Terrace district, Block Parents reported assisting three lost children, two injured children and two children harassed by "bullies". The number of unreported inci- dents is difficult to estimate, as many Block Parents trivialize their actions, feeling that their assistance is "just part of being a good neigh- bout". Another immeasurable action of the Block Parent program is its crime-deterring: side effects. National crime trends show that in neighbourhoods displaying Block Parent signs, the incidence of vandalism and break-and-enier & sd 4L0cK pe? crimes is significantly reduced While this is not part of Block Parents’ purpose, the sign adver- tises to would-be trouble-makers. that the neighbourhood is inhabited and alert. Bohle says, "By putting a sign in your window, you're — scaring trouble away." Block Parent school coordinators work to keep children aware of the Block Parent program. As Bohle says, "Our most important people are the school ‘coordinators. If the children don’t know about it, the program is non-functional." Through videos, colouring sheets and school presentations, children learn to associate the red and white Block Parent symbol with personal safety. Even with 210 registered in the district, Bohle says that more Block Parents are needed. Bohle’s goal? "Saturation." She explains that because each Block Parent is available at different times, on . various days, numerous citizens are needed to provide continuous availability to children in cach neighbourhood. "This is not a nine-to-five job — some people are only available on Saturday afternoons, or evenings. The more the better." Bohle says that often people don’t become Block Parents because they feel that nelghbour- hood children already know they are available to help. But Bohle notes that many children merely pass through @ neighbourhood on their way home, and the display of a Block Parent sign ensures that ail children know where to find a “safe stranger". Block Parent literature outlines the program like this: When should children use a Block Parent home? ‘when alarmed by strangers or vicious animals. ‘when he, she, or a playmate is involved in an accident. ewhen ill. *when lost. *when being bullied. «when caught in severe weather conditions. A Block Parent is not expected to... «provide food or beverage. «provide toilet facilities. - *provide transportation. eadminister first aid. *leave his or her home to break up fights. eactively engage any dangerous person. This week is National Block Parent week. Anyone interested in becoming a Block Parent can contact their local detachment of the RCMP. iN A — en Ltameye coca bet te nee ose oe enyeentemewe ee ee en eee ee ee ee Pros i i pe ACRE RRaR EG ME 48 eens