Board of Directors Call for Application
ABOUT STRONG START
We believe in changing children’s lives by helping them learn to read. Our mission at Strong Start is to help children learn to read by providing unique programs and services through community-wide partnerships. Experiences in the family, in early learning environments and in the elementary school years have a critical influence on a child’s long-term development. Strong Start programs provide proactive intervention, reaching children early in their development – when the greatest impact is possible.
Strong Start was founded in Waterloo Region as a community project in 2001. Today we offer programs across 11 regions in Ontario, in over 400 locations and we are poised to grow. Our programs are research-based, use sound educational techniques, and achieve measurable results. At current scale we are helping approximately 5,000 children each year. To-date over 56,000 children have benefited from Strong Start programming.
Strong Start has been nimble and innovative during the pandemic to ensure that we continue to support children and provide resources to parents. Despite the pandemic, Strong Start remains a viable charitable organization with financial stability. Our supporters continue to see the impact of the programs we are providing and we believe the need for our programs in the post-pandemic environment will be greater than ever.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Letters, Sounds and Words™
This flagship 10-week program supports children ages 5-9 from diverse backgrounds and helps them develop foundational literacy skills. It is delivered in elementary schools by nearly 3,000 trained community volunteers. The children are identified by their teacher as needing a literacy boost. Visit Letters, Sounds and Words to learn more about this program and where it is offered. Program partners include: Public and Catholic Schools, First Nation and Six Nations schools, faith-based schools, and schools for children with exceptionalities.
Get Ready for School™
This research-based, early intervention program targets children primarily from low socio- economic backgrounds and /or children for whom English is an additional language and is designed to address gaps in school readiness and early learning that often exist at kindergarten entry. This 22-week program is delivered in community centre settings by trained staff and volunteers.Visit Get Ready for School to learn more about this program and where it is offered.
Baby Connections®
Delivered through community partner agencies in Waterloo Region and Perth County, this program supports parents and babies 6-12 months of age. Families receive a kit of quality resources including books, a sensory toy and music downloads. They also receive coaching about their babies’ brain development and how their intentional interactions with their baby nurtures attachment and lays the developmental pathways for language and literacy development. Visit Baby Connections to learn more about this program and where it is offered.