Edmonton PAAD also a success!

Saturday April 24th at the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market was another successful event for Parental Alienation Awareness Day. The market was in full swing by 9 am with hundreds of people browsing through the stalls. Our Display table was set up at the back near the concession this year and we had a continuous stream of people stopping to gather information and share their own heartbreaking stories and experiences. We also had an interested psychologist who wanted to receive more information as well as workers from FCSS (Family and Community Social Services) as far away as Mayerthorpe. We handed out many brochures and had on hand lots of reference books and articles for people as well as information sheets to give then for further research.

Many thanks to Chris (Theroux), Jimmy, Renata, Wes, Jerry, Lisa, Johnny and others from ECMAS for their support and help. We could not have done without all of you.

A great and busy day to help raise awareness about PAS. It was very rewarding as many parents and even grandparents were so thankful to have help and direction on what they could do to try counter the problems of being alienated from their children ad grandchildren. Rhonda was also so pleased to have her ex-mother-in-law and two sons stop in to show their support.

See everyone next year at the same place on April 23. If you wish to help or contribute in any way let us know.

Rhonda Pisanello - Alberta PAAO & Panda Abuzz "Spokesperson"

Here are some photo's of the event:

From 2010 Edmonton

From 2010 Edmonton

Edmonton set to go - Calgary PAAD Event is taking shape

Everyone, in addition to holding a PAAD Event on April 24 in Edmonton we now have some support in Calgary and so I am asking for volunteers to staff our table in Calgary. Details still being finalized but I will email the out ASAP. Calgary volunteers can email me their interest/availability.

In the mean time, if you can help staff the Edmonton Event at the Old Strathcona Farmers Market (103 ST + 83 Ave) from 10-2pm on sat April 24, 2010 - let us know by filling out this poll/schedule.

PAAD 2010 Volunteers Needed - Sat April 24

It is that time of year again.

2010 PAAD in Alberta will be Saturday April 24, 2010

I am hoping to organize the 3rd Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) Event in Edmonton and if volunteers flock to help me,coordinate other Events elsewhere in the province.

We are looking for volunteers to initiate a PAAD Event in Alberta community's or join one nearby. An event can be as simple or as complicated as you want (and your budget allows - as we have no funding, but we accept contributions). Our objective is to educate the general public about PA but how you do that is up to you.

Last year wasn't fancy. We set-up a display table with a PAAO Banner, various PAS reference, books, had some DVD's on the laptop and began handing out (b&w photocopied) PAAO pamphlets at Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers Market near Whyte Ave. Alot of people welcomed the opportunity to learn about PAS. It is an issue that many struggle to understand.

Since that event we have soldiered on gathering supporters across the province. They include many targeted parents, some "stranded" grandparents, adult "survivors" of PAS, Second Wives and others. Let's take advantage of recent Parliamentary action on C422 to focus attention on PAS and PA behaviours.

By concentrating our message about PAS for ONE DAY GLOBALLY we hope to breach the wall of official indifference about such child abuse.

To volunteer, please sign-in using this form. Our success depends on having "slack" resources as not every community can support an Event. Since your candour will not be ruthlessly exploited please be generous with your intentions. We hope to have Event Leaders/ Locations
after Feb 27 and updates will be emailed as required. Non-Alberta volunteers can check for other Events at www.PAawarenessDAY.org.

Regards,
Christopher JONES
Team Leader - Alberta
E albertapaao [at] mail.com

Edmonton PAAD a SUCESS!

After our 11th hour reprieve, the Edmonton 2009 PAAD (Parental Alienation Awareness DAY) went off without a hitch (almost). The venue was the indoors Old Strathcona Farmers Market so we did not have to experience the wintry weather and - of course - the market did a booming business as it normally does on a Saturday.

Public "uptake" was also good - certainly more effective than last year - due to the large number of families, inquisitive visitors and a "browsing-friendly" atmosphere, sheltered from the harsh elements. Everyone reported a handful of deep, well-informed conversations. Many encouraged and were supportive of our efforts to form a local provincial organization to provide further information and network about PA and PAS issues.



We handed out many www.PAawareness.org brochures and we even sold a few workbooks for middle school children written by Dr. Amy BAKER entitled "I don't want to choose", which is a useful tool to help them deal with some of the issues faced in PA.

A huge thanks to Jerry, Cathy, Jim and Lisa (for trying to make it) - but especially to Chris T who was so generous with his time and financial support.

Keep in touch so we can get ready for next year!