Last week our staff had the privilege of going to “Come From Away”. This smash hit musical is centered around the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, often called the “edge of the world.” The weather is wild, but the locals never lack for warmth. It's in Newfoundland, Gander, the epicenter of a remarkable true story, when 38 planes were forced to land on 9-11. The story is filled with unusual characters, unexpected camaraderie and uncommon generosity and welcome to almost 7,000 people for almost three days.

Missing: Teresa Lo, Joshua Bissell, Hayley Chan

We loved the story because we have also experienced generosity and hospitality in Gander and Lewisporte when we've done training there. Their passion and commitment for creating safe environments for children, youth and vulnerable adults is clearly evident. As the play unfolded, we were reminded that during a crisis we have to come together and unite.  Unfortunately, as a staff, we are too familiar with hearing stories of crises that our clients’ face. Seldom does a week go by, that a member does not call to ask for our assistance in walking through a crisis. It breaks our hearts to know that this Christmas too many children and young people will experience abuse, neglect, domestic violence and more.

I truly think one of the greatest benefits of being a Plan to Protect ®  member, is to be part of a network of caring people who will welcome your call, and walk with you through the journey. It is gathering together to learn from each other and discover the best we collectively have to offer to create safe environments.

During 2018, we have once again continued to reinvest in Plan to Protect ®  to provide you the best practices in abuse prevention and protection.  We have put our certification training on-line. We have added a second level of Train the Trainer and Administrator/Leader to provide additional professional development for those that have already successfully completed level one.   We have strengthened our Orientation and Refresher training on-line to meet the ever increasing demand for Plan to Protect® training on-line for volunteers and staff members.   We have launched our own platform to provide enhanced Criminal Record Checks in Canada, providing new updated technology and customer experience.   We have responded to hundreds of calls, answered thousands of email questions We have trained over 6,000 people, and certified over 200 trainers and administrators.  All of this has been done to prevent abuse, with an attempt to avoid the next crisis.    Unfortunately, as much as we try to do everything in our power to prevent abuse, we know from experience that some of you will experience a crisis in 2019. Just like the kind people of Newfoundland cared for the thousands of people forced to land in Gander during 9-11, we are committing to walk this journey with you.

Our staff are hard at work with Barrie Doyle and Roundtable Video to provide you a NEW CERTIFICATION TRAINING for Senior Leaders and Board Members on Responding to a Crisis. This training will be available in the Spring of 2019.  To pre-register and save $100 off of the price of this training, click here .

During the month of December , we invite you to join us as a member of  Plan to Protect ® . If you join us in December, you will save $50 on a Basic Membership, $100 on an Implementation Membership or $250 on a Going the Distance Membership. You will also receive access to the VAULT which includes digital resources to help you promote your efforts to protect the vulnerable. Contact info@plantoprotect.com for more information. Offer expires: December 31, 2018

On behalf of our whole team at Plan to Protect ® we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Holiday Hours: December 24 (Christmas Eve) - Closed December 25 (Christmas) – Closed December 26 (Boxing Day)– Closed December 27 – Closed December 28 – Open December 31 – Open January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed January 2 – Open *For online training support, email onlinetraining@plantoprotect.com . We will be checking this email regularly and will respond as soon as possible. For emergencies, please call 1-877-455-3555 and leave a message at extension 0. We will be checking the messages and will call you back as soon as possible. If this is in regard to a case of abuse, please call 911 or your local Child and Family Services.