TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elected officials will assert their commitment to listen to the voices of young people in communities across the country for National Child Day on Friday, November 20, 2015.
Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada are inviting government officials from every level to visit their local Club to celebrate National Child Day and commemorate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Canada ratified this international legal commitment in 1991 to ensure that all persons under 18 are treated with dignity and respect.
Boys and Girls Clubs are guided by core values that closely align with the UN Conventions' principles—that children have the right to have a voice, be protected from harm and be given opportunities to reach their full potential. November 20 is an opportunity to celebrate the role of Boys and Girls Clubs in providing safe, supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
"National Child Day celebrates children as active participants in their own lives and in their communities and this is something we advocate every day at Boys and Girls Clubs," says Marlene Deboisbriand, Interim President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
"We encourage elected officials from every level of government to meet with our young people and show their support for our work to promote belonging, respect, encouragement, working together and speaking out."
A number of Clubs are organizing events and open houses on November 20 to celebrate National Child Day. The participating Boys and Girls Clubs include:
British Columbia
Cranbrook Boys and Girls Club
Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops
Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs
Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC
Boys and Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria
Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District
Yukon Territory
Boys and Girls Clubs of Yukon
Alberta
Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary
Boys and Girls Club of Crowsnest Pass
Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills
Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge & District
Boys & Girls Club of Strathcona County
Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin
Ontario
Albion Neighbourhood Services Boys and Girls Club
Braeburn Boys and Girls Club
Boys and Girls Club of Brantford
Boys & Girls Club of Cornwall/SDG
Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club
Boys and Girls Club of Durham
Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton
Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes
Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area
Boys and Girls Club of London
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
Boys and Girls Club of Peel
Boys and Girls Club of Pembroke
Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs
Thunder Bay Boys & Girls Clubs
Boys and Girls Club of West Scarborough
Boys and Girls Club of York Region
Quebec
Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle / Club Garcons et Filles de LaSalle
New Brunswick
Dieppe Boys and Girls Club Inc
Boys & Girls Club of Moncton
Boys and Girls Club of Riverview
The Boys and Girls Club of Saint John
Nova Scotia
Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton-Whitney Pier Youth Club
Boys and Girls Club of Yarmouth
Prince Edward Island
Boys and Girls Club of Charlottetown
Wellington & Area Boys and Girls Club
Newfoundland and Labrador
Botwood Boys and Girls Club
Gander Boys and Girls Club
James Hornell Boys and Girls Club
Norris Arm Boys and Girls Club
Media contact
Susan Sullivan, Media Relations Manager
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
905-477-7272 ext. 239
ssullivan@bgccan.com
About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is dedicated to supporting and encouraging children and youth as they grow and develop. We are a national charity serving 96 member Clubs that provide services to 210,000 young people in 650 locations across Canada. Our trained staff and volunteers listen to the opinions and ideas of children and youth, applaud their accomplishments, lend support during their struggles and provide ways for them to explore their interests and talents. With this encouragement, young people develop the confidence and sense of belonging that helps them succeed in school, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. For 115 years, we have welcomed children, youth and their families into Clubs that reflect the diversity of Canada in small and large cities, and rural and Aboriginal communities. Visit www.bgccan.com and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan and www.twitter.com/bgccan.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37525
