Letters, Sounds and Words™ Program Summary Overall, 94% of the children with qualifying pre- and post-assessments made considerable, excellent, or outstanding gains during their participation in the program. Enrollment 3,450 children were enrolled in the fall … Continued
National Volunteer Week 2026 is a moment to celebrate the people who quietly power Strong Start’s mission every day: our volunteers. In this milestone 25th anniversary year, we are especially grateful for the steady, caring … Continued
Marking 25 years of impact, including more than 65,000 children supported, Strong Start is celebrating the community that makes early literacy possible and launching a new year-long campaign: 25 Impact Stories. 25 Years of Community-Powered … Continued
Sandi Freeman, a retired Registered Nurse, volunteers at MacKenzie King P.S. in Kitchener, ON, where her grandchildren attend. Each week, she supports children as a Volunteer Coach in the Letters, Sounds and Words program and … Continued
We are delighted and humbled to announce that Strong Start was named the 2025 Diamond Award winner in the Non-Profit/Foundation category of the Waterloo Region Readers’ Choice Awards. Diamond represents the highest honour in the … Continued
Chris Howlett, a dedicated volunteer developer and technical advisor, has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. This remarkable honour, presented by The Honourable Marty Deacon, Independent Senator for Ontario, recognizes Chris’ exceptional … Continued
Luis Gonzalez, an international student from Mexico studying Mechanical Systems Engineering at Conestoga College, has brought innovation, insight, and heart to Strong Start’s materials production. His journey began in the summer of 2025 through a … Continued
At Strong Start, volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission to help young children learn to read. Their stories reflect not only personal commitment but also the organization’s values of Relationships, Excellence, Accountability and Dynamic. … Continued
Building a brighter, more literate future for all children in Canada is a bold and urgent mission. Since 2017, the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation (CCLF) has worked to ensure that every child across the country … Continued
This community program, which helps children build early, foundational literacy skills and prepare for school, is funded in part by a grant from the Solcz Family Foundation. October 21, 2025 – Windsor, ON — Families … Continued
