A number of local community organizations are coming together to deliver a new program for Syrian families with young children.
The Immigrant Parents as Literacy Supporters program aims to help immigrant and refugee families support their preschool and kindergarten-aged childrenâs early literacy development.
The eight session program, starting in February, will have parents working on a series of different literacy activities alongside their children.
The free program will be offered at Pearson Road Elementary School, Field Studies Learning Centre.
âThis program is an incredible opportunity to bring together a variety of community literacy resources to support the Syrian families that now call Âé¶čAV homeâ said Christine McWillis, Project Literacy Âé¶čAV Society Executive Director.
âThe program will work in a culturally sensitive way to help parents support their childrenâs literacy development.â
Although the program supports the development of literacy skills among young children, the parents have an opportunity to engage in developing their own literacy.
âIPALS is a bridge to starting school for these families," said program facilitator Donna Kozak. "We look forward to offering an accessible, bilingual, culturally responsive and supportive learning environment for both the parents and children.â
The delivery of this program in the Âé¶čAV area is supported by Decoda Literacy Solutions and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Partnerships with Project Literacy Âé¶čAV, Central Okanagan Public Schools, Âé¶čAV Community Resources and Âé¶čAV Child Care Society will make its local delivery possible.
If you are interested in getting involved or finding our more about the IPALS program, contact Project Literacy Âé¶čAV Society today.