PNUC Initiatives

Take Advantage of these Programs...............

The Block Parent Program of Susqehanna Township is a charity endorsed by the Neighborhood Crime Watch of Susqehanna Township, and the Suquehanna Township Police Department. It is the volunteer run child safety organization. The Block Parent Program works together with the police, the local government and the schools to help make your community safer.

How does the Block Parent Program work?

The distinctive Block Parent window sign in the window of a home, tells children and others that help is at hand if they are lost, frightened, or in distress. The Block Parent window sign acts as a deterrent to potential offenders. It is a visible reminder that citizens are watchful in their neighbourhood. In addition to their safety network, Block Parents offer education programs to increase personal safety of children, teens and seniors.

Who are Block Parents?

Block Parents are responsible adults who care sufficiently about the well-being of children and others to volunteer their homes as a temporary refuge in an emergency. Anyone 18 years of age or over who successfully passes the screening process completed by the police. For example volunteers can be:

• Single

• Married

• With or without children of their own

• Stay or work at home

• Work outside the home

• Senior citizens

What does a Block Parent do?

A Block Parent offers their home as a place of safety when someone feels they are in a dangerous or frightening situation such as:

• Injured, ill, lost or disoriented

• bothered by a dog or other animal

• bullied or harrassed

• being followed while walking

• frightened or threatened for any reason

• caught in severe weather conditions

• Having car problems

  A Block Parent assists persons in distress by telephoning the appropriate emergency service (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) when necessary.

What is not expected of a Block Parent?

Block Parent volunteers are not expected to:

• provide food, drink, toilet facilities or transportation

• administer first aid

• leave their home to break up a fight

• open their door to anyone if they feel uneasy about the situation

When and Where is the Block Parent Sign displayed?

The Block Parent Window Sign is displayed only when a member of the Block Parent Family who is over the age of 18 is available to answer the door. The sign is placed in a window where it is clearly visible from the street yet inaccessable to strangers. The sign is removed when the Block Parent is not available to offer immediate assistance. If the sign is not displayed, this does not mean that no one is home, only that help is not available.

Why do we need a Block Parent Program?

Block Parents are paramount to creating safe and friendly neighbourhoods. They aid community police by providing a safe environment for people especially children to turn to when immediate assistance is needed.

How do I become a Block Parent?

Interested participants can apply by requesting and completing the application form and submitting it to the Susquehanna Township Police Department. All people over the age of 18 living in the home are subject to the criminal reference check. The fee for this service is free of charge for all Block Parent Applicants.

Once the application is approved, the local Block Parent representative will notify the applicant. A Block Parent window sign and further instructions will be provided. If an application does not pass the criminal reference check, the police will notify the applicant to ensure their confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Block Parent Program

1. Who can become a Block Parent?

Anyone over the age of 18 years who has successfully passed the screening process done by Police. Volunteers can be single, married, divorced and may work outside the home. They do not have to have children and seniors make great Block Parents.

2. Is there much work involved?

NO! It will not alter your life style or make demands on your time. When you are "available" (which means you are home and able to answer the door to someone requiring assistance), simply display the sign in a window visible from the street. If a child is bothered by a stranger or a bully, is sick, hurt or lost, he knows that when he sees the sign a "SAFE ADULT" is there to offer help.

3. Is Block Parent a glorified babysitting Service?

DEFINITELY NOT! Children are taught in school to respect the Block Parent home and to only use it for an emergency. Parents should insure their children are educated about the Program.

4. Is there really a need for The Block Parent Program?

YES! Today's society is so mobile that children can no longer rely on their extended family. Most parents don't even know their neighbors well enough to trust them with their children. Block Parents are there to help should the need arise.

5. How often are Block Parent homes used?

THIS VARIES - Some homes may never be used while others will be used several times. Each year, over 1000 Block Parents from coast to coast are called upon to help. Bullying appears to be the cause of the majority of incidents. Remember that the Block Parent sign acts as a deterrent to most troublemakers; hence, the more signs on display, the safer your community is.

6. Who can use a Block Parent home?

Anyone in distress, including children, teens, women and seniors.

7. How can I help? i'm never home.

There must be a few hours a week or month when you are home and could display a sign, especially during the evening hours or on weekends and holidays. Halloween is particularly important. This is the ideal volunteer position for a busy person like yourself. You can provide a valuable service to your community without having to make a special effort to do so. Simply put your sign in the window when you are available.

8. Do we have to have children to bea Block Parent?

NO. Block Parent needs as many volunteers as possible. Anyone over the age of 18 years who can pass the police screening process can become a Block Parent and make a valuable contribution to the Program.

9. Aren't there enough Block Parents on our block already?

Block Parent always needs more volunteers so at least one sign can be visible at all times on each block. This requires a large number of approved volunteers because many volunteers find it difficult to display their signs more than a few hours a day or week. The more Block Parents your community has, the better it is protected.

10. Do I have to let strangers into my home?

NO - you do not have to let anyone into your home if you think it may threaten you or your family. Information can be exchanged through a locked door if necessary and the necessary telephone call made.

11. When I take my sign down, doesn't that indicate that we are not home?

DEFINITELY NOT! A sign removed from view does not necessarily mean that no one is home. There should be many times when the volunteer is home, but does not want to be "on duty", so the sign is not on display. Police assure us that there are many easier ways for would-be criminals to determine whether or not a home is occupied. They would not rely on the Block Parent sign as a reliable indication. If you are concerned about this, try using your sign only on certain days of the week and leave it down at all other times. Do not attempt to leave the sign up permanently because children are taught that when they see the sign, help is available.

12. What is the legal status of a Block Parent?

There is no legal status other than of a private citizen who has agreed to act as a sensible and responsible adult should a problem arise.

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ENDA: A Benchmark for LGBT Civil Rights   In 31 states, it is legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation.  In 39 states, it is legal to fire someone based on gender identity.   The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would make it illegal to fire an employee based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity.  ENDA would reinforce the principle that employment decisions should be based upon a person's qualifications and job performance.   The bill currently has 165 co-sponsors, including seven (7) of the thirty-two (32) members of the Texas Congressional delegation:  Lloyd Doggett, Charlie Gonzalez, Ruben Hinojosa, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Silvestre Reyes, and Ciro Rodriguez.   A vote on ENDA is expected in the U.S. House the week of September 24th.   A vote for ENDA is a vote for non-discrimination in the workplace.  Quite simply, refusing to support ENDA is an endorsement of employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.   Public support for ENDA is overwhelming.  Polls demonstrate that the vast majority of Americans support the principle of equal job opportunities for lesbian & gay Americans (89% in a May 2007 Gallup Poll).    Twenty-five (25) Texas Representatives have yet to take a stand for equality.  What are they waiting for?   The vote on ENDA is a benchmark upon which to judge your U.S. Representative.   Your Representative can vote to end workplace discrimination.    Or not.   Make sure your Representative knows where you stand.    Send them a message now.   Click on the "Take Action" links to send an e-mail or fax to your U.S. Representative.  Then, call their District Office in Texas and share your support for ENDA. Representatives in BOLDFACE are current sponsors of ENDA; please thank them for their support.

BRAVO ON THE SET

Bravo's new educational initiative designed to encourage diversity in television!! We invite high schools across the country to take advantage of this interactive program that provides digital media lesson applications to teachers and opportunities for students ages 14-18 to experience the real world of television production.

 

Musicians Against Hate

PNUC and Musicians from across the CommonWealth bringing you a concert to remember.  Watch for more details soon!

PNUC Partnership with ACLU & Value all Families Coalition

Take Action 

The Value All Families Coalition (VAFC) was formed in 2004 in response to a range of legislative proposals introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, commonly referred to as the Birmelin Amendments. Those proposals were primarily targeted at lesbian and gay people, their relationships and their families. However, because the proposals were so broadly written, they also would have impacted many unmarried heterosexual couples as well.

In Pennsylvania, workers can be fired simply because

they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

The ACLU of PA, Equality Advocates PA, and the Value All Families Coalition

present…

THE FREEDOM TO WORK:

A TOWN HALL MEETING

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

7pm

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York

925 South George Street, York

and

Tuesday,October30,2007

7 PM

Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship of Centre County 780 Waupelinai Drive Ext. ,StateCollege

Featuring…

Dan Miller

Harrisburg City Council

and a victim of workplace discrimination

Stephen A. Glassman

Chairperson, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Rabbi Carl Choper

Chair, The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania

_______________________________________________________________

More info: 877-HBG-ACLU • hbginfo@aclupa.org • www.aclupa.org

IT’S T TIME FOR THIS INJUSTICE TO END.

IME