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A very exciting moment last week when we welcomed MPP Matthew Rae and MPP Lisa Thompson to our Stratford office to hear about the impact of a $100,000 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 💚

This 12-month grant is supporting a survivor-informed learning program that HPCAS is …Read moredeveloping in partnership with Victim Services Huron Perth and Pursuit Pathways. It will help professionals, community partners and youth better identify and respond to human trafficking in Huron and Perth. The program combines self-paced online learning with practical resources and is designed with the realities of rural communities in mind. We are also grateful for the expertise of Courage for Freedom, a survivor-led organization.

The goal is for the individuals who work with young people every day to be better equipped to recognize concerns, respond safely and connect youth with the right supports.

Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the investment, to MPP Rae and MPP Thompson for visiting, and to our partners for working alongside us.

@raematt @lisathompsonpc @ontrillium @victimserviceshuronperth @courageforfreedom

#HPCAS #HumanTraffickingPrevention

Prevention starts with the strengths that already exist in our community, and four pillars guide this practice:

Community Partnerships
Local Strengths
Early Interventions
Family Wellbeing

Our team works hard to connect those strengths, alongside families, partners and …Read morelocal organizations, so support is there before challenges escalate.

Swipe through to learn more about each one.

#HPCAS #PreventionInAction #SupportingWellBeingTogether

November brings shorter days and longer nights, which means children and youth are spending more time outdoors in the dark – walking to school, waiting for buses or heading home after activities. It’s a good time to talk about staying aware of your surroundings.

Situational awareness is …Read moreone of the most practical safety skills we can teach young people. Here are some things worth going over:

For children and youth:

– Stay aware of your surroundings and put your phone away when walking alone
– Stick to well-lit routes and avoid shortcuts through unfamiliar or isolated areas
– Walk with others when possible, especially after dark
– Trust your instincts – if something feels off, move away and find a safe space
– Know who to call and have a plan if you feel unsafe
– Tell a trusted adult where you’re going and when you expect to be back

For caregivers:

– Talk openly with your children and youth about situational safety without creating fear
– Make sure they have a charged phone and know your contact information
– Agree on check-in routines for after-school and evening activities
– Practice “what would you do if” conversations to help them think through scenarios

Feeling safe in your community starts with awareness and open conversations at home.

#HPCAS #SafetyAwarenessSeries #PersonalSafety

This week in community programming! Swipe to take a look 👀

Here’s what’s on this week:

🍳 Kinder Cookers – Listowel – A fun caregiver-and-child cooking program for ages 0-6. Running today, Monday, November 2 at Access Centre.

🥗 Mighty Meals – Listowel & …Read moreGoderich – A 4-week program for individuals or families to build confidence in the kitchen. Starts Tuesday, November 3 in Listowel and Thursday, November 5 in Goderich.

🍴 Kids Kitchen Connections – Stratford – A free after-school cooking program for children and youth. Final session Wednesday, November 4 at The Local Community Food Centre.

🤝 Circle of Security – Stratford – An 8-week caregiver program strengthening parent-child relationships. Running Tuesday, November 3 at YMCA of Three Rivers.

🧘 Parenting Through a Mindful Lens (Virtual) – A six-week virtual parenting program introducing a mindful approach to parenting. Starts today, Monday, November 2.

All Community Engagement & Prevention programs are free. Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio or below to register.

📧 CommunityEngagementTeam@h-pcas.ca
📲 519-271-5290

bit.ly/3UkHOGf

#HPCAS #CommunityProgramming #FallProgramming

This week is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario, observed November 1 to 7.

As treaty people, we carry responsibilities that extend into our work with children, youth and families every day. HPCAS operates on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Attawandaron …Read morepeoples – lands subject to Treaty 29 (The Huron Tract) and Treaty 45.5 (The Saugeen Tract).

We acknowledge the harmful role child welfare has played in Indigenous communities – a history that continues to impact families today. Treaties Recognition Week is a reminder of why reconciliation in child welfare matters and why we remain committed to it.

We are all treaty people.

#HPCAS #TreatiesRecognitionWeek

Nearly 1,600 children and adults joined our programs across Stratford and area in 2025, and our Community Engagement & Prevention team made it possible. 💚

This team of 13, made up of Community Engagement & Prevention staff and Mino Bimaadiziwin staff, works alongside families, …Read moreschools and community partners every day.

You’ll find them running Kids Clubs, cooking programs, caregiver workshops and so much more, helping families connect with support early.

Join us in sharing a big thank you to our team for everything they do.

#HPCAS #PreventionInAction #SupportingWellBeingTogether

Tomorrow is Halloween and we want to make sure everyone has a fun and safe night! 🎃

A few reminders before heading out:

For trick-or-treaters:

– Stick to well-lit streets and familiar neighbourhoods
– Always go with an adult or a trusted group
– Check candy …Read morebefore eating it – parents should look it over at home first
– Wear costumes that are easy to move in and are visible in the dark
– Reflective tape, glow sticks or a flashlight go a long way

For drivers:

– Slow down in residential areas, but especially between 5:30 – 9:30 PM
– Watch for children at intersections and driveways
– Expect the unexpected – excited children don't always look before crossing

Have a safe and spooky Halloween! 👻

#HPCAS #HalloweenSafety #Halloween

One community. Working together. Around people. 💚

When every organization works in its own lane, the people we serve are often left trying to cross between them.

Over the past year, our Community Engagement & Prevention work has shown what’s possible when we bring our …Read morestrengths together around children, youth and families. Schools, municipalities, community organizations, early years services, food security partners, social service and health providers have shared space, expertise and relationships to make support easier to reach.

None of us can do this alone. Thank you to the City of Stratford for its cornerstone investment in this programming, and to all 23 of our partners for working together to best serve our community.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share what our team and our partners have made possible across Huron and Perth over the last year.

#HPCAS #PreventionInAction #SupportingWellBeingTogether

It's Dress Purple Day! 💜

We're wearing purple today alongside our fellow children's aid societies and community partners across Ontario. This year's theme is It Takes a Community – and it really does. The children and youth in our communities are safer and better …Read moresupported when the adults around them are connected, informed and willing to show up.

This might look like a teacher who notices something is off and opens a warm conversation, or a neighbour who checks in and steps up when things get hard. It also means knowing where to turn when you have concerns and feeling confident enough to reach out.

If you have concerns about a child or youth, we're here 24/7.

📞 519.271.5290 or 519.524.7356
📞 Toll-free: 1.800.668.5094

#HPCAS #DressPurpleDay #ItTakesACommunity #HereToHelp @oacas_official