Relationships are the priority for the children and youth’s ministry at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton.

But for children and youth to build relationships with God, they need to be able to trust the church leading them.

“I want all of our volunteers to be just as convinced as I am that the church should be the safest place on earth and that the church should be a place that children can know that they are safe and that they are cared for,” said Jud Stade, the church’s emerging generations pastor, meaning he’s responsible for overseeing ministries for children to young adults in their mid-20s.

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in Toronto has always been like a family. It educates the public about the history and contributions of Japanese-Canadians and provides a place for Japanese Canadians to meet and participate in cultural activities. The centre runs dozens of classes weekly, ranging from flower arranging to calligraphy and numerous martial arts classes.

Recent growth has brought changes to the centre. They’re small things: signs posted around the building showing a man and woman holding a child’s hands to remind people to watch for unsupervised children; some new times for classes; standardized name tags for volunteers at festivals. But these reflect a larger concern: the centre’s growing commitment to make sure everyone who comes knows how committed the organization is to abuse prevention and protection, especially for children and seniors.

We work with thousands of organizations – both large and small – to help them implement a high standard of abuse prevention and protection of the vulnerable sector to whom they serve. 

Over the next few blog entries we will share with you stories of clients we've worked with and the benefits they've gained. 

Muskoka Woods Camp – Discover how a residential and city event camp that was already committed to safety raised the bar on protection among their unique programs. 

At Muskoka Woods, ensuring children have fun safely is serious business.

Safety is the organization’s first customer service standard, said Jackie Carmichael, managing director of programs for Muskoka Woods. She would know – she first came to Muskoka Woods as a camper when she was 9.

There are some topics I wish we didn’t have to address - child abuse in faith communities is one of them.  Like many, I hate to think that those that say they follow God’s teachings and desire to live in holiness and worship are choosing to indulge in sinful, lustful desires that rob the innocence of children. However what I do appreciate hearing is how faith communities are striving to create safe places for past offenders and children. 

Twenty-five years ago my husband and I were living 20 kilometers from Vienna in a small town called Traiskirchen.  The town is well known for its wine and heurigers. The city is also known nationwide and internationally for its refugee camp the "Bundesbetreuungsstelle für Asylwerber." 

It is the refugee camp that drew us to Traiskirchen.  Here we met and assisted incredible people from Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Syria as they awaited papers and word of a new home.

One young man we met was Abraham[1].  He was 19 years of age and had grown up in Syria. 

Last night I saw Spotlight.

Today I feel numb! 

Spotlight is a 2015 American drama film directed by Thomas McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Josh Singer.

The story is about The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team, a newspaper investigative unit in the United States. The real Spotlight Team earned the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

You are well underway into a new program year!  How is registration processes? 

The purpose of this blog entry is to encourage you to take time 6-8 weeks into the program year to review your registration forms, highlighting things that should be communicated to teachers, helpers, and program personnel. 

The countdown’s on - we are weeks away from another program year.  Many organizations take a well-earned break during the summer months but they know they may need to recruit additional staff or volunteers for the Fall.

My role models (good and bad) helped shape my young years.  So, when  I was 15 years of age I began volunteering in the summers working with children at camps and missions, and during the school year as a Candy Striper in a Veterans Hospital.  They were happy days where I was able to give back and become a role model to many.  I learned many rewarding skills and gained terrific experience...

We definitely think it’s a great idea to utilize young people to work with children. Here are 20 important things to keep in mind when working with youth volunteers and staff ...

To be truthfully honest, I am a little surprised. I like to believe the best about our clients, but some of you have bought into a lie or there is a complete misconception. I’m not sure whose eyes you are trying to pull the wool over but, I am going to be tough on you here! I am beginning to believe some of you are taking short-cuts and trying to find loopholes in your policies and procedures.