Annual Stand Up for Kids Award Honours Local Heroes

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - To mark Child Abuse Prevention Month in October, the four Children's Aid Agencies in the City of Toronto recognize the work of those in our community - local heroes - who work steadfastly to keep children safe and take action against child abuse.

This year, the Minister of Children and Youth Services, Dr. Eric Hoskins, will be awarding the Stand Up for Kids Award to two outstanding members of our community:

Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research and Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention, has worked in the field of child care and children's mental health as a consultant, trainer and research coordinator. Ms. Rimer has developed and taught community college courses on aspects of child care and had designed the first child abuse prevention course to be offered in an Early Childhood Education Program. Ms. Rimer is also the co-author of the book  Reaching Out: Working Together to Identify and Respond to Child Victims of Abuse.

Nancy Steinhauer, Principal at George Webster P.S. and her staff have created a community school that provides programming specific to addressing many of the risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect, isolation, poverty and access to services. The school and Ms. Steinhauer are committed to supporting families by strengthening parenting skills, decreasing isolation, providing education and resources that assist families in accessing activities for their children that promote physical and emotional health - aids in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

"Both of these individuals embody the spirit of this award," said Mary A. McConville, Executive Director, Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto. "More than anything, they bring communities together via education and awareness and we all know education and awareness are incredibly powerful tools in eliminating child abuse."

"Our goal is that every child grows up free of violence and emotional harm," said David Rivard, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Aid Society of Toronto. "It takes the action and vigilance of everyone in the community to ensure this happens and we're grateful to Pearl and Nancy for taking a leadership role."

Over the past year, the Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic Children's Aid of Toronto, Jewish Family & Child and Native Child and Family Service of Toronto have investigated more than 10,000 cases of suspected child abuse or neglect and have provided care for more than 40,000 area children.

When: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 9:45 a.m.
Where: Children's Aid Society of Toronto - 30 Isabella Street - Toronto

SOURCE: Catholic Children's Aid Society Of Toronto

Media, please RSVP your attendance to:

Rob Thompson
Director, Communications
Children's Aid Society of Toronto
[phone] ext. 2086
[email protected]

Gehna Singh
Manager, Communications
Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto
[phone]
[email protected]