Abuse prevention entrepreneur receives national recognition
“I remember whispering a prayer that I would never be silent about abuse again.”
STOUFFVILLE, ON—Melodie Bissell, the founder of Winning Kids Inc. and co-author of Plan to Protect is one of the finalists in the 2014 RBC Canadian Women’s Entrepreneur Awards. The awards honour the achievements of leading Canadian women entrepreneurs from across the country.
“This is actually the fourth year I have been nominated,” says Bissell. “When the call came in saying I had been named a regional finalist in the micro-business category, initially I thought it was a telemarketer call. When I realized this was for real, I was speechless. After I spent some time whispering a prayer of thanks I came out of my office and shared the news with my daughter who works with me.”
Bissell was one of 18 finalists chosen out of more than 4,000 applications for the six categories of the awards. The micro-business award is given to a woman leading a business that generates annual revenues of under $1 million, but still carries significant influence.
Bissell’s business, Winning Kids Inc., works with more than 7,500 Canadian churches, mission agencies, care homes and other volunteer-driven organizations helping them implement and maintain the highest standard of abuse prevention.
“Most of my life I have served in children and youth ministry,” says Bissell. “When I learned of the long-term impact of abuse, I couldn’t help wondering how many abused children had been in my classes and I did not recognize the abuse. I remember whispering a prayer that I would never be silent about abuse again.”
Initially, Bissell says her vision was simply to help churches upgrade their standards of abuse prevention, qualify for insurance and most importantly to be proactive in protecting their children and youth. However, her vision changed as she began hearing more of the stories of abuse.
“Without exaggeration, I hear stories of abuse daily,” she states. “My vision now is that the Church will view Plan to Protect not as a program to qualify for abuse coverage, but as a ministry to parents, children and volunteers. My vision is to see churches strive for the highest standard of abuse prevention possible.”
Although Winning Kids Inc. is a micro-business facing what Bissell calls “a macro-problem of abuse,” she says even small businesses can have tremendous impact and she is grateful to her clients and investors for making protecting the vulnerable a priority.
“With every new organization that joins our network, I know we are protecting many more children, youth and vulnerable adults. There is a ripple effect. The benefactors have not just been our clients, but the vulnerable sector, which has a huge impact on our society and future. Can any of us truly visualize the difference this can have?”
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