Chatham-Kent may be saying goodbye to a program that has been providing a safe haven for children for decades, due to being cut from the United Way roster of funded agencies.
According to the program’s board of directors, without substantial funding granted by April 15, Chatham-Kent Block Parent Program Inc. will be forced to close its doors officially May 30.
Although “still needed,” the 40-year program will no longer be “here or helping” with personal safety awareness or injury prevention education, officials said. The unique network of safe homes and businesses will inevitably be extinct across Chatham-Kent.
“Thank-you to those who have supported the program in the past. The program looks forward to hearing from any future donors (serious inquiries only) from now until April 15 by contacting the office manager at 519-354-0430 ext 267 or ckbpp@ciaccess.com,” the board stated in a press release.
Block Parent homes and businesses will receive further information as soon as possible.
The United Way announced last year it was moving in a different direction to ensure funding for programs that addressed homelessness and poverty, two big issues in the community.
