On Thursday, November 16th, our community was filled with purple! Across Greater Sudbury, individuals, teams, and organizations came together to show their support for children, youth, and families — reminding everyone that no one is ever alone.
From local businesses and wellness centres to city departments and community groups, the spirit of care and connection was on full display. Many community partners proudly joined the movement, including the City of Greater Sudbury, Greater Sudbury Police Service, Spark Employment, Our Children Our Future, Northern Skies Wellness, Compass, HSN Pediatrics and CAMHP programs, and the Sudbury Women’s Centre, among others.
Leading up to the day, members of our Dress Purple Day team delivered swag and posters across the community, giving partners the opportunity to share why they #DressPurpleBecause and how they contribute to the resilience and well-being of children, youth, and families.
The responses were heartfelt and inspiring. Some wrote:
“To support all the kiddos!”
“To show support for children so they know they are safe, well supported, and their community stands with them.”
“To raise awareness and support for children, youth, and families — and to let them know they have rights to safety and well-being.”
“To support the people who support the kids!”
“Kindness can change the world.”
“We all need someone to believe in us.”
Each message reflected the compassion and purpose behind Dress Purple Day — a reminder that community care begins with empathy and action.
Here at the agency, staff and youth joined in the celebration, filling our spaces with creativity and spirit. The youth added an extra touch of joy by decorating cupcakes (and hopefully enjoying a few!), while Lindsay G. baked a batch of beautiful muffins as a special prize — happily won by Courtney B.
Beyond the fun, this year’s Dress Purple Day carried a deeper message. It also coincided with Purple Thursday, recognized by the Sudbury Women’s Centre as a day to support survivors of intimate partner violence and raise awareness about brain injuries caused by IPV. It also aligned with Spirit Day, a global anti-bullying campaign that encourages people to wear purple to show solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, reminding them that they are valued, celebrated, and never alone.
In addition to raising awareness, our Pathways to Provisions initiative collected more than 50 food and essential items, helping families in urgent need within our community.
Thank you to everyone who participated, decorated, baked, donated, and shared their voices. Together, we lifted each other up — and that’s how we build a stronger, more compassionate community of Greater Sudbury. 💜
