Video: I’m a Believer
The first step in helping a child learn to read is to boost their confidence. In this video, Linda Maryniuk, Staff Site Co-ordinator shares her experiences with the Letters, Sounds and Words program at her school.
Educators
Video: No Extra Work
Jane Baxter, school secretary shares her perspective on the Letters, Sounds and Words program and how easy it is to support. “As secretary of the school, there is no extra work for Strong Start.”
Video: The Aha Moment
After her son benefited from the Letters, Sounds and Words program, Erica Cross wanted to give back. She got involved as a volunteer in her son’s school to make a difference for other children. This is their story.
Story Update: The View from the Blue Couch
Rhys participated in the Get Ready for School program after his family moved from northern Ontario to Cambridge. Rhys struggled with severe anxiety, but over the course of the program, he gained some independence. He was ready for school! We followed up with his mother, Sherri Roy, to see how Rhys is doing now.
Video: Opening the Lid to Learning
Bram’s daughter was struggling to learn how to read. He worked with her at home, along with his wife, but nothing they did seemed to make a difference. In Grade 1, she was enrolled in Strong Start’s Letters, Sounds and Words program, which helped open the lid to her learning. This is their story.
Story Update: Incredible Individuals Make Get Ready for School Possible
Grace participated in and benefited from the 2016 Get Ready for School program where she gained some of the fundamental skills she would need to be successful in school. This summer, we followed up with her mother Ashley Pederson to see how school is going for Grace so far.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours – Thank You Sifton Family Foundation
As a top-quality builder, with properties in Brantford, Guelph, London and Waterloo Region, Sifton Properties invests where their staff and clients live, work and raise families. With a specific focus on education and helping the next generation prepare for a successful future, our Letters, Sounds and Words program was a perfect fit with their neighbourly philosophy. Honouring Brier Park Public School in Brantford, which serves their tenants in the Brier Park community, was a wonderful way to support their local residents.
Toyota’s Lids4Kids Program Helps More Children Read
Good corporate citizens, and environmental leaders, are great descriptors for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. With a Tim Horton’s onsite to serve employees, staff are encouraged to put the lids of their cups in a separate slot in the recycling container. In honour of their teams efforts to recycle, Toyota created the Lids4Kids program, where a donation is made to a children’s charity each quarter, in recognition of the lids collected.
Story Update: Once Upon a Time
Our Get Ready for School program helps children get comfortable in a learning environment. They practise routines. They make friends. They read stories. Randi St. Laurent shared her daughter’s experience in the program in this original testimonial. We followed up this summer to see how they are doing now.
Increased Support for Greater Impact – Retired Teachers of Ontario District 11
Our partnership with the Retired Teachers of Ontario District 11 has continued to grow over the past few years. Many of their members generously volunteer their time in our Letters, Sounds and Words program, and are incredibly passionate about ensuring young learners acquire essential reading skills. The Strong Start team were incredibly humbled by the $4,000.00 cheque provided in support of our programs, with a matching one promised from the provincial office of the Retired Teachers of Ontario.