Literacy Project

LITERACY PROJECT

OCTOBER - MAY

Focus on Literacy is a program developed by the Yellowhead Rotary Club roughly 9 years ago to help club members connect with local grade school children needing support. Initially we worked with 5 'tier one' (formerly called 'inner city') schools in Prince George and the initiative took on a variety of forms. Volunteers at one school developed a program alongside teachers to teach children to shop, read labels, prepare soup following a recipe, and deliver a tasty soup to the school population. This was a very popular initiative, however it was a substantial time commitment by the volunteers. Other school programs involved volunteers reading to whole classes of kids. Two of the more enduring programs are currently running at Ron Brent and Peden Hill Schools. With input from the teachers, volunteers are either working with small groups of children, or reading one on one with children who need extra support. Many of the children in the schools we currently work with are challenged by a lack of resources. Many are from single parent homes, foster homes, or are otherwise living with someone other than their biological parents. School resources are stretched so thin, breakfast and lunch programs are provided, as are clothing banks and other forms of support. These schools are also unique in that they have a full time Community Co-ordinator, who must have a Social Work background, and strives to recognize the needs of the children attending. Programs are developed that help children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Volunteers coming into these schools show the kids that their community really does care; that there are people outside the school who want to get to know them and to participate in their success. The Focus on Literacy program has grown into so many great initiatives – including Grade 7 graduation parties each June, Christmas parties in December, as well as some great  connections  between the schools and the employers of some Rotarians. (for example, one Rotarian's company sponsored a family to go to a Cougars game and 'skate with the Cougars'. One lucky child from Ron Brent school was able to be on the ice with the Cougars during their game warmup. They introduced him to the crowd at center ice and presented him with a Cougar's jersey.(his Mum said she couldn't get the jersey off him for a week!) The family of four then got to watch the game and were treated to dinner. What a memory!

The club earmarks money each year for the schools that are actively participating in the Literacy Program, enabling them to buy classroom equipment, library books, and more.

Rotary contact is Martina Humphrey