$400,000 invested in early childhood initiative

Forty-three. That’s the percentage of kids in Tri-Cities’ Coquitlam River neighbourhood who start school at increased risk of struggling in the classroom—and in later life. United Way British Columbia today launched the next phase of a bold early childhood initiative at James Park Elementary schoolin Port Coquitlam. United Way Avenues of Change has one resounding goal: to see more kids ready to succeed by the time they start school. United Way will invest $400,000 in the Coquitlam River neighbourhood in 2015/16 to implement a number of action strategies. The strategies were developed in consultation with the local community to change outcomes for vulnerable kids. Up to another $800,000 will be invested in the following two years, for a total investment of up to $1.2 million. It’s a significant and unprecedented commitment by United Way—made to tackle a significant, and chronic, problem. “The road to United Way Avenues of Change started when we asked ourselves what we, as an organization, could do to radically reduce chronically high child vulnerability rates in neighbourhoods throughout the Lower Mainland,” said Jeff Calbick, United Way’s Senior Director of Community Impact & Investment. “We knew that numbers like 43% had to change—and that a bold approach was needed.” “As a Coquitlam River resident of 10 years, as soon as I heard that children were vulnerable in our neighbourhood, I had to become part of the change,” said Krista Bennett, parent of two young kids, ages 5 and 8, in the neighbourhood. Krista volunteered as a Neighbourhood Champion during the community engagement phase of the project. Her passion to see more kids ready to succeed led to a greater involvement, and she is now the Avenues of Change Volunteer Coordinator. Westcoast Family Centres (WFC) will work closely with United Way to manage, coordinate, and carry out the initiative at the local level. “Westcoast Family Centres is proud to be the host agency of Avenues of Change, a bold and courageous initiative spearheaded and funded by United Way British Columbia,” said Ann Kutcher, WFC’s Executive Director. “With the support of United Way British Columbia, Westcoast Family Centres, partner agencies, and the community of Coquitlam River are ready to work together to create a truly child- and family-friendly neighbourhood.” Also in attendance were the Honourable Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development; Acting Mayor of Port Coquitlam, Councillor Glenn Pollock; Acting Mayor of Coquitlam, Councillor Brent Asmundson; and Superintendent of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam), Patricia Gartland.