Dress Purple Day – Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

Every October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign. The campaign is more important than ever, since the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stressors for families, and in some cases has increased risk for the well-being and safety of children and youth.

Last year, Dress Purple Day took place on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. All of the materials from the 2021 campaign are available below. Stay tuned for details about the 2022 campaign!

We are calling on all Ontarians to wear something purple to show children, youth, and families that they are here to help!

This year’s Dress Purple Day campaign is different. Let our CEO, Nicole Bonnie, tell you how:

“Why it’s not Child Abuse Prevention Month anymore and a call to join Dress Purple Day 2021.”

Campaign Toolkit

Create a video to share with your friends, loved ones, and neighbours the message that help is available, they are not alone, and you are part of the community that cares for children, youth, and families. Download our video toolkit.
View our campaign key messages.
Read our campaign brochure Child Welfare in Ontario: A Shared Responsibility
Watch our video to better understand child welfare.
Read the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ brochure Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: It’s Your Duty

Social Media

Sample Social Media Posts: Download
Join our Twibbon campaign!
Profile Picture Filter: Download
Twitter Images: Download
Facebook Images: Download
Instagram Images: Download
Video Call Background: Download

Poster (8.5 x 11)

Poster (11 x 17)

Sign (8.5 x 11)

#IDressPurpleBecause Videos

In the lead-up to Dress Purple Day, we’re inviting all Ontarians to create and post a video explaining why they will be wearing purple on October 27 and how it is they help children, youth, and families facing challenges.

Maybe you work for an organization that supports youth, maybe you’re a frontline worker in the social services sector, or maybe you’re a member of your community who checks in with a neighborhood family who needs extra support …we all have a role to play!

To see who else is dressing purple on October 27 to show their support for the children, youth, and families in Ontario, visit our YouTube channel or follow #IDressPurpleBecause on social media.

Find Resources and Supports

We know that children, youth, and families in Ontario are struggling now more than ever. We also know that the kinds of challenges that families are facing are wide-ranging, from food and housing insecurity to mental health and addictions to intimate partner violence. We have put together a list of resources and supports that will hopefully serve to show that there are lots of places to turn to when you, or someone you know, is in need of help.

Dress Purple Day Prevention Classroom Resources

Dress Purple Day offers an important opportunity to raise awareness among elementary, middle, and high school students about their right to safety and well-being. To support this important goal, and in response to inquest recommendations, we have developed provincial classroom prevention resources to support teachers and education professionals to engage with their students in conversations about safety and well-being in all aspects of their lives and to help them identify their networks of support.