Degrassi and Leave Out Violence (LOVE) partner
with RioCan in anti-bullying effort
TORONTO, April 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, RioCan announced
the launch of its Red Dot Safe Spot campaign, declaring all of its
properties 'bully-free zones'. To support its anti-bullying
efforts and create safe shopping environments for local
communities, RioCan has partnered with Leave Out Violence (LOVE), a
national charity committed to reducing youth violence, putting a
spotlight on this debilitating social issue.
RioCan has also partnered with Degrassi who represents the cause
in an authentic way, having been a platform to promote
self-confidence and acceptance for the past 14 years. Cast
members of Degrassi are featured in a new 30-second PSA, which will
be aired on Canadian television networks.
"We are proud to be the only real estate corporation in
Canada to be taking a stand
against bullying and committing to making our shopping centres
safer for Canadian youth," says Lyle
Goodis, senior vice president of marketing at RioCan.
"Whenever you visit one of our 293 properties across Canada – and you see the red dot on mall
signage and at entrances – you can be assured that bullying is not
tolerated there."
Guest services is the Red Dot Safe Spot hub at RioCan enclosed
shopping centres, where shoppers can go to report any form of
bullying or to get help.
To support anti-bullying beyond its shopping centres, RioCan has
also created a new online resource (www.reddotsafespot.com)
which provides a national directory for bullying support in local
communities across Canada. With
support from LOVE, reddotsafespot.ca helps victims of bullying or
those affected by bullying find information about where to go in
their local community and get the support they need.
At LOVE we understand that being bullied can be a lonely
experience," says Lana Feinstein,
executive director of Leave Out Violence. "But you are not alone.
By keeping the conversation going and helping people understand the
causes, consequence and solutions to bullying, we can create
positive change. That's why we are thrilled to be partnering with
RioCan to provide a resource to victims of bullying and help youth
challenged by violence become leaders of violence prevention."
To officially launch the Red Dot Safe Spot campaign, RioCan is
hosting three public events at Lawrence Square and Yonge Eglinton
Centre in Toronto and Georgian
Mall in Barrie. The kick-off event
at Lawrence Square unveiled the new 30-second PSA and featured a
panel of speakers including the cast of Degrassi, LOVE and
Psychologist Sara Dimerman who discussed ways to reduce violence
and bullying among youth.
"I'm honoured to be a part of this important initiative," says
Sara Waisglass, the actor who plays
Degrassi's 'Frankie'. "We need to stand up against bullying and
give it a voice – something Degrassi's been doing for over 35
years. It's an issue we can all relate to, like our characters do
on-screen and as we do as regular teenagers off-screen in our daily
lives."
For more information about Red Dot Safe Spot, to learn more
about the upcoming events or to find out what help is available in
your local community, visit: www.reddotsafespot.com.
RioCan encourages Canadians to join the conversation using
#RedDotSafeSpot and together help create safer communities
across Canada.
About RioCan
RioCan Real Estate is the largest real
estate company in Canada with
ownership of 350 retail properties throughout North America. RioCan believes in its local
communities since the community is ultimately their customer. As
part of the community RioCan is committed to ensuring they are
there for their customers and doing their best to be a safe hub for
their neighbours.
About Leave Out Violence (LOVE)
Since 1993, Leave Out
Violence (LOVE) has provided training and support to young people
who have experienced bullying and many other forms of violence in
their lives. LOVE's core belief is that youth challenged by
violence can be agents of change, capable of transforming their own
lives, investing themselves in their communities and making the
world a safer place. Through communication, media arts and
leadership training, youth find alternatives to violence. In the
process, LOVE builds confident, engaged youth leaders who, as
credible ambassadors, spread their authentic message of
non-violence among their peers and members of their
community. LOVE operates in British
Columbia, Ontario,
Quebec, Nova Scotia and New York City.
www.leaveoutviolence.org
About Epitome Pictures
Toronto-based Epitome Pictures has produced
award-winning youth and family drama for more than 35 years. Its
flagship programs, including The Kids Of Degrassi Street, Degrassi
Junior High, Degrassi High, and the current series, Degrassi: The
Next Generation, now known simply as Degrassi, have been honoured
with multiple Gemini Awards, Teen Choice Awards, the Television
Critics Association Award, The Peabody Award, two International
Emmy© Awards and three Primetime Emmy© nominations. Past Epitome
series include The L.A. Complex, Instant Star, Riverdale, and
Liberty Street. In August 2014, Epitome recently completed
production on a new family mystery series, entitled Open Heart,
slated for international broadcast in 2015. Epitome Pictures is
part of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B).
SOURCE RioCan