A flower representing the innocence of children is the new symbol of the Children of the Street Society, and will be distributed next month in Coquitlam and elsewhere in B.C. with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of keeping kids safe from sexual exploitation.
A fuchsia-coloured daisy - a blend of red for red light districts and purple for violence prevention - has been developed as the province prepares to acknowledge Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week running March 9-13. Groups and individuals are encouraged to purchase the Children of the Street Society fuchsia daisy pin from local merchants or online.
The pin is available at the CIBC Austin Avenue, CIBC West Vancouver (17th St), Canadian Tire Coquitlam, both Coquitlam RONA locations, or at the society's office 208-1130 Austin Ave., in Coquitlam.
Children of the Street is also celebrating its 20th anniversary with a fundraising gala on March 5 at the Stanley Park Pavilion.
GALA DETAILS
Tickets are $60 each and include appetizers and refreshments; a raffle draw for two WestJet flight tickets courtesy of WestJet; a live auction for a dinner for two at Tableau with former BC Lion Angus Reid and his wife, and a variety of silent auction items, including MAC Cosmetics, accommodation at The Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver, Canuck's Club Seats, and a private scenic plane ride, among other things.
Hosted by executive director Diane Sowden, the evening will include a look at the history of sexual exploitation over the last 20 years, a surprise guest speaker and multimedia snippets from the organization's history. It will also feature performances from TCO (Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of Others), the society's prevention education team.
Purchase tickets by calling Children of the Street Society at 604-777-7510 or online at www.childrenofthestreet.com/celebrate.html.
The society educates children, parents and care-givers, by providing them with information and practical tools to help them learn how to be safe from sexual exploitation. Last school year, the society delivered 642 workshops to over 26,000 participants, ages 10-18 across the province.
A daisy pin can also be mailed with a minimum $5 online donation at www.childrenofthestreet.com/donate.htm.
