Join us for Dress Purple Day on October 16th! đź’ś
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, we join Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario for Dress Purple Day, a day that celebrates the many ways our community supports children, youth, and families. Neighbours, families, schools, service providers, and community partners all play a role in helping children and youth feel safe and cared for.
Every child and youth has the right to safety and well-being, and our community shares the responsibility to uphold that right. No single organization can do this work alone. Children’s Aid Societies partner with schools, day cares, mental health and addiction services, housing supports, police services, hospitals, and many others to connect families with the care and resources they need.
Why is Dress Purple Day Important?
- Reminds children and youth of their right to safety and well-being in every space, at home, at school, in the community, and online.
- Encourages children and youth to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- Raises awareness of caring community members and services ready to help.
- Affirms that safety means more than protection from harm, it includes respect for identity, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
- Recognize families’ challenges without stigma.
- Promote the message that help is available.
Dress Purple Day gives everyone the chance to show children, youth, and families that their community supports them, today and every day. We thank our community members and partners who, in countless ways, keep families strong and children safe.
How You Can Help
Play an active role in keeping families strong and children safe:
- Support families directly. Contribute through our CanadaHelps page or donate non-perishable food and essential care items to our new Pathways to Provisions: Food and Care Corner, which directly supports families connected to our agency.
- Wear purple on October 16 to show children, youth, and families that their community supports them.
- Share the message on social media using #DressPurpleDay and #IDressPurpleBecause.
- Learn more about the challenges families face and how Children’s Aid Societies provide support to break down stigma and build compassion.
- Check in as a neighbour. Listen, offer encouragement, or lend a hand when families need it.
- Celebrate children and youth. Recognize their strengths and contributions to help them feel valued.
- Promote local resources. Share information about programs such as parenting supports, housing help, or youth programs.
- Support online safety. Encourage positive internet use and protect children and youth from online risks.
- Respect identity and diversity. Honour every child’s culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
- Volunteer your time. Mentor, coach, or participate in community groups that connect with children and youth.
- Advocate for community well-being. Speak up for policies and initiatives that strengthen families.
On October 16:
- Wear purple to show your support.
- Share your photos and messages of solidarity with #DressPurpleDay and/or #IDressPurpleBecause.
- Explore the resources and learning tools (below) to discover more ways you can play a part in building a strong network of support for children, youth, and families.
Together, we demonstrate the strength of community: when we stand in purple, we remind children, youth, and families that they are surrounded by care, compassion, and support.
