National Family Week originated in Canada and takes place the week before Thanksgiving every year. It was proclaimed an official week by the government of Canada in 1985. National Family Week is celebrated throughout the country with special events put on by community organizations. National Family Week also exists in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. It is a distinct event from Family Day which is a statutory holiday created by the provincial governments of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Canada
National Family Week is largely a public awareness campaign, the purpose of which is to celebrate families. Each year FRP Canada, in partnership with other national organizations, creates downloadable resources for families and those who work with families to access when planning an event in their community. With a different theme each year, National Family week highlights various important aspects of family life.
Organizers
The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs is a non-profit organization that aims to help families by providing resources, national leadership and consultation to those who care for and support them. Their vision is "to build a Canada that cares for its children, its families and its communities." There are over 2000 family resource programs in Canada serving approximately 500,000 families. For more than 20 years, Family Service Canada coordinated National Family Week activities. At the invitation of Family Service Canada in 2007, Families Canada took on the lead role in national programming and coordination.
Government perspective
National Family Week offers an opportunity for the federal government to honour families and to introduce new legislation or modify existing laws in ways that it deems will help families. In 2007, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg, stated that "Canada's New Government is proud to celebrate National Family Week and to recognize the important role that families play in this country. Families are the building blocks of our society, and we will continue delivering on our commitment to support and strengthen them.”
National Family Week UK
National Family Week takes place during the Summer half term holiday and is backed by over 180 not-for-profit organisations and has broad political support. It is organized by Family Week Ltd, part of the Henley Media Group. Although it received Lottery funding in its inaugural year it receives no government funding and operates through commercial sponsorship and support by not-for-profit partners.
National Family Week United States
National Family Week in the United States takes place the week of American Thanksgiving. It was first proclaimed by Richard Nixon in 1972 pursuant to a resolution introduced in Congress by Representative John Myers upon the suggestion of a constituent, Sam Wiley. It is led annually by the National Family Week Foundation, established by Mr. Wiley and now managed by John Palatiello, a former staff assistant to Rep. Myers. President Donald Trump proclaimed the week of November 18 through November 24, 2018, as National Family Week.
