For over a decade Block Parents, the once popular and important group where members opened their doors for children in need, went dark in Airdrie.  

Then, in 2015, it was revived by now President Lindsey Coyle who has basically been a one-woman show in trying to re-start the organization in a significant way.  Coyle says building awareness of Block Parents has been a difficult task but she's still trying to get the word out.

"I'd have to say that it's been slow going.  I would say in this last year we've seen momentum pick up and I'm hopeful.  At the same time, we're limited in our reach to get the word out that we exist in Airdrie."

Coyle says, at present, Block Parents has one or two members in many Airdrie communities and seven or eight in others.  She estimates there are about 75 active members in the city which she says is only a drop in the bucket compared to what they should have.

Coyle explains that most of their awareness has come about through the use of Facebook but she says they're working on getting their website upgraded, which should be completed in a few weeks.  She is also in the midst of trying to develop a committee to oversee the organization as three of the four members on her last committee moved from Airdrie.

According to Coyle, the only things needed to become a Block Parent is a clean record and a big heart. 

"To be the type of person who would open their door if a child in need every knocked.  We require everyone in the home from 12 to 17 gets a criminal check and adults all get vulnerable sector checks so we can confirm that it's a safe place.  On the back end, we also do reference checks and check out all applicants online."

Coyle says her involvement with Block Parents came about because she grew up in Airdrie.  "I was looking at the community and thinking about how it was when I was growing up.  How I was able to play outside until the street lights came on and I didn't see that for my kids.  I started thinking about Block Parents and how I had that program and it was a great safety net for me."

Now Coyle is hoping that Airdrie will "become the village again."  She says, "I hear a lot of people saying 'kids need a village to be raised.'  Well, this is a really great opportunity to be part of the village again and to put a sign up in your family's home to show you're a part of the village."

For more information on Airdrie Block Parents visit their Facebook page here.

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