What is the Block Parent Program?
Mission
Building Safer Communities, One Block at a Time
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program is a community-building child-safety program that helps encourage school-aged children to feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods.
Vision
A connected and engaged neighborhood where community members help create a sense of safety, resiliency, and independence in our children
Donate
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program is incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization run by a group of dedicated volunteers. To donate to our program, please click the Canada Helps Donate Now button below. Your donation will help Block Parents deliver our Child-Safety Program to the Region of Waterloo
Since 1977, Block Parents Have Been Building Safer Communities, One Block at a Time
Since 1977, The Waterloo Regional Block Parent® Program has served the people of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the surrounding rural communities by providing programs and services that build safe, connected, and engaged neighbourhoods that encourage children, and their communities, to embrace a more safe, healthy and active lifestyle in the Region of Waterloo.
“Block Parent signs in a neighbourhood show children that people are there to help if they need it. The Block Parent sign, and what it symbolizes, is the main benefit of the program. Being a Block Parent is a low effort, high impact way of giving back to your community.” Anthony Piscitelli – Kitchener Citizen March 2013
By becoming a Block Parent, you are connecting to your community and building trust between you and your neighbours!
On the rare occasion when a Block Parent home is called upon for assistance, the value of volunteering will be immediate. A child will be helped, a neighbour in distress will gain comfort, and a potential emergency may be avoided.
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program is pleased to acknowledge support from the following
donors, sponsors and partners:
Block Parents and Volunteers
Without you, the program would not exist. Thanks for your dedication and your commitment to the ongoing success of our program!
Rotary Club of Cambridge North
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program extends tremendous thanks to the Rotary Club of Cambridge North. Thank you for your donation!
City of Cambridge
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program acknowledges the contributed funds provided by the City of Cambridge. Thank you for your support!
Joseph Balan & Associations at Co-Operators
We thank Joseph Balan for his generous support of the Block Parent Program and our 98.5 CKWR radio ad campaign 2023.
Mini Mall Storage Cambridge
Thank you to Mini Mall for providing space for the Block Parent Program to store our inventory.
AroundKW
Thank you Around KW for generously providing this web hosting and tech support.
98.5 CKWR Real Community Radio
Thank you to CKWR for your on-going support of our child-safety community initiatives.
Waterloo Regional Police Services
Thank you for your many many years of help and support of our child-safety community initiatives.
Deloitte
We would like to thank Deloitte very much for all their help and support.
Region of Waterloo
Thank you, Region of Waterloo, for your continuing support of the Block Parent Program.
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent® Program is funded by sponsors and donors
If you are interested in knowing more about the program and how you or your business can help, please email contact@blockparents.ca. We would be pleased to speak with you about partnership and financial or in-kind sponsorship of our local program. Donations may qualify for charitable donation receipts.
The Waterloo Regional Block Parent® Program is guided by a
dedicated group of volunteers who make up the Board of Directors
Chair Person — Tara Mondou contact@blockparents.ca
Tara has been an integral part of the Block Parent Program since June 2009. Tara’s on-going passion for building child-safety and active transportation programs resulted in a successful past- partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and Active School Travel Waterloo Region. She Co-founded Cambridge Authors, is the author of “Little Girl in the Mirror” and “Me and My Shadow”, is a Director at Guitars for Kids Waterloo Region, is an alumni of Leadership Waterloo Region, and was also the 2018 recipient of the Bernice Adams Memorial Award for Communication/Literary Arts.
Treasurer and Funding Coordinator — John Czubak fundingcoordinator@blockparents.ca
John joined the Block Parents Board of Directors in the fall of 2012. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is responsible for providing leadership in funding planning, budget preparation, and fundraising initiatives. John recalls seeing the signs on his walk to school in his childhood and feeling safe as a result, and wants to work towards bringing that feeling back to our community.
Director — Tonya Redwood contact@blockparents.ca
Tonya joined the Block Parents Board of Directors in the Fall of 2019. She is a graduate from the University of Guelph and Conestoga College who works two jobs and loves to stay active with her family in her spare time. Tonya began volunteering with the Block Parent Program because she has a passion for building safer and more connected communities. She is a Block Parent in her new home and loves the idea of living in a neighborhood where other Block Parents are present.
Secretary — Natalie Schwartzentruber contact@blockparents.ca
Natalie joined Block Parents Board of Directors in 2021 with an eagerness to help reinvigorate the Block Parent program and build safer and more connected neighbourhoods. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Canadore College and currently works with the City of Kitchener to keep our major parks and playgrounds clean and safe. Natalie strives to create a more united community—like the one she remembers as a child, that is a wholesome place for her nieces and nephews to grow up in.
Co Vice Chair — Brad Mulligan contact@blockparents.ca
Brad joined the Block Parents Board of Directors in 2022. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and has spent over 10 years working in the social service sector. Remembering Block Parent signs in his neighborhood while growing up, Brad now wants to give back to Waterloo Region by making communities feel safer and more connected. In his spare time, Brad loves to get creative and make art in various mediums.
Co Vice Chair — Ted Aslanidis contact@blockparents.ca
Ted joined the Block Parents Board of Directors in 2022 and has been actively involved in volunteer recruitment and community outreach. Ted is a graduate of Queens University and the Ivey Business School and leads a shared services team at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Ted is grateful that he has lived in a great community that has been a safe and terrific place to raise a family. Ted is hoping to help foster that sense of safety and community across Waterloo Region. Ted is a father of three and lives in Waterloo.
Communications Coordinator — contact@blockparents.ca
Minutes of Board Meetings are available to any interested party. Please submit your request in writing by sending an email to contact@blockparents.ca
Join Our Team!
Click the link to the Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region to find out what volunteer positions The Waterloo Regional Block Parent Program is currently recruiting for. If you are interested in a particular position, please send an email to contact@blockparents.ca with the job title clearly marked in the subject line.
Position Summary
The Director position is an extremely rewarding and valuable position with Block Parents. Directors will engage with other directors, members, coordinators, and committees to advance the Mission, Mandate, and Goals of the WRBPP The objective of the Director is to help Create a Healthy and Safe Community by volunteering as a Director on the Waterloo Regional Block Parent® Program Board of Directors.
Volunteer Position Duties & Functions
- Attends monthly Board of Directors meetings to discuss current progress, challenges, and action plans
- Annually reviews and approves the organization’s operating budget
- Participates in the approval of recommendations after fair debate according to the organization’s mission and vision
- Participates in annual and long term planning sessions
- Promotes volunteerism with Block Parents in the community
- Participates on event planning committees
- Takes the lead on projects as needed
- Keeps up to date with legislation and policy related to Board Governance and assists in any necessary modifications to accommodate changes
- Is familiar with organization’s by-laws, standing rules, and orientation guide
QUALIFICATIONS
- Organizational skills
- Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation skills
- Strategic Planning skills
- General knowledge of The Region of Waterloo
- Time-Management skills
- Ability to work independently and with a team
- Follow through with tasks
- Clear Police Vulnerable Sectors Check
ORIENTATION & TRAINING
- All Director/Coordinator Nominees must participate in a three month orientation process that begins at the Information Session
- Attend the Information Session, an interview, and three board meetings
- After the orientation process has been completed, the Board of Directors will hold an election to vote the nominee onto the board
COMMITMENT REQUIRED
- One Year commitment
- On average 4 hours per month
- Encouraged to participate in Block Parent events
BENEFITS
- Fulfilling the Mission of the Organization
- Giving Back to the Community
- Volunteering for a Non-Profit Charity
- Helping to Create a Healthy and Safe Region
If you are interested in a particular position, please send an email to contact@blockparents.ca with the job title clearly marked in the subject line.