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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 16h

Tonight, I am at the Edmonton Remand Centre collecting signatures for the Forever Canadian Petition. I have no idea what the turnout will be. ERC has placed posters in all the living units. So, keeping my fingers crossed. #ForeverCanadian #abpoli

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 1d

Im very concerned about a 15yr girl I am helping. Children Services is opening a file. This is great news; she is now living with her grandmother. However, her abusive mother has been evicted and now moved in with daughter and grandmother. And with this school strike, 15yr old is trapped.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 1d

2/ I am trying to hit reset with him and re-engage Children Services. In my opinion, Children Services should automatically OPEN a file, and then upon completion of an investigation, continue supports or close it.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 1d

1/A 16-year-old homeless boy lives in a tent. Denied help by Children Services, he hung out at youth shelters etc. But with no stable support, everything slowly eroded. His trajectory altered to a darker path...

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 2d

Met with youth, victim. We made a letter of concern to @edmontonpolice Chief. Officer sets up appointment with ZEBRA for young girl, but doesnt inform Zebra, & when victim shows up, Zebra doesn't know what's going on. As well officer not returned calls, texts. 16yr old wants an explanation.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 4d

17yr old girl. In limbo as Children Family Services slowly becomes involved. Her only normal aspect of her life is school. And she is looking for a TUTOR. any suggestions? #yeg

Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 4d

Yes, that is also a great option. Thank you for your consideration!

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 4d

2/ Children's Family Services will be opening an "Enhancement Agreement with Youth"; my concern is that this has been in the investigation stage for over 110 days. Police are also involved.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 4d

1/ Meeting with a 16yr girl, who, as the prior girl I wrote about, has fled an abusive home. Details of waterboarding, starvation, and all sorts of violent outbursts by mom and dad...

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

Those wanting to provide immediate financial support for those I help can send an e-transfer to: [email protected]. Mention the specific person you want to help and I'll get that money to them.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

A 14-Year-Old’s Strength in the Face of Abuse: “They’ll Save My Brothers, Right?”

She’s composed and determined. She reports her mother for abuse, knowing it will trace back to her, but all she cares about is saving her brothers.

markcherrington.substack.com/p/a-fourteen...

A teenage girl in a gray hoodie sits across from a concerned woman at a small table in an office. The woman takes notes while listening intently, suggesting a serious or emotional conversation between them.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

Back at the school, she turns, as if forgetting something, and asks me through my open car window, "They'll save my brothers, right?"

"Yeah," I say, "They'll save your brothers."

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

Knowing that her mother would know this information came only from her daughter, she speaks calmly, plainly.

As we finish, she turns to me. “I almost cried,” she says softly while I wipe my tears driving her back to school.

“But I didn’t, I wanted to be strong for my little brothers.”

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

A brave 14-year-old girl, more worried about her younger siblings than herself, made the hardest choice of her life.

Last week, I drove her to Children’s Services, where she calmly reported horrific abuse by her mother. The worker’s hands shook as she wrote down the details.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help me stay independent. In 2023, I supported over 1,100 vulnerable people.

Select "Outreach and Support" from the drop-down menu. Your support enables this work to continue for those who need it most.

www.coalition4jhr.org/contribute-t...

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 5d

Have a single mom, fleeing abuse who will soon run out of yellow Enfamil. Is anybody out there who can help? #yeg

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 6d

Something special is happening on November 7. Hope to see you there!

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 7d

I am off to southern Alberta today to help a mom. She was working collaboratively with Children Services to have her children returned. She now clean and sober, in a stable healthy relationship
All should be going well. It's not CS is making an application to be the children's permanent guardian.

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Reposted by Mark Cherrington

Alec Walker 🏳️‍⚧️ (he/him) @smartalecw.bsky.social · 8d

Substitute teachers in Alberta currently earn $224-$246 a day, depending on school division. I earn $230/day, and I usually sub in secondary classrooms that range from 30-37 students. That's like $6-7/kid/day.

Looking at this, the government can afford to pay me better. They just choose not to.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 8d

Alberta has over 300K kids in K-6. The UCP plans to pay $30/day each for childcare during the teacher strike. $9M daily. That’s equal to 90 top teacher salaries every day, or the cost of a new school each week.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 8d

Bruce McAllister, while representing our government and Premier at the recent Alberta Next Panel, mocked a child and backed corporal punishment. He has the right to push separatism, but this conduct shows he has no place in government. His terse apology only reveals bitterness.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 8d

An Indigenous man in his 40s was taken from his mom as a toddler, placed in 23 homes by age 5 and 72 by 18.

His mom spiraled, then was murdered when he was 17.

His life fell apart, but now we’re working to rebuild it.

Next week I'll take him to treatment.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 8d

Young mom of 20. Had a miscarriage, twins, 4 months pregnant. She has a 1yr old, but is struggling and couch surfing with family. I am trying to help her with some funds as well as emotional support. I get this text yesterday.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 9d

Today wrote a letter to Searle Turton, Minister of Children Services, with a mom who, of course, is worried sick about the safety of her daughter. Don't know what good it will do in the end of this, but I made it clear that without Children Services' continued intrusive support, this child will die.

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Mark Cherrington @markcherrington.bsky.social · 12d

Pets are so important for those who are vulnerable and alone. I have often helped people take their pets to the vet to get appropriate care and medicine. This weekend, we house-sat for a kitten as the tenant was having her place treated for bed bugs, and the chemicals were hazardous.

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