Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society

On Saturday, July 27th, Executive Director, Paul Zuurbier and Office Administrator, April King had the pleasure of attending the one-year anniversary of Julia's Junction and the official launch of the much-anticipated Okanagan’s First Permanent StoryWalk®!

So many community members turned out in celebration, along with Mayor Gord Milsom, and COEYP members: Childhood Connections, Project Literacy, City of West Kelowna, Starbright Children's Development Centre, and many others!

The first story featured in the circuit is I Can Too! written by Karen Autio and illustrated by Lauren Watson. This story was chosen to celebrate inclusivity and diversity, as is the theme of Julia’s Junction. You can read this incredible story for the next four months! Which story will be next?!

Yesterday the students at our Summer Reading Program had a blast with Coach Jesse from Sportball Okanagan! Jesse is such an awesome coach! He made learning the basics of Volleyball so much fun while keeping the students engaged and encouraged.

Project Literacy and the students wish to give Coach Jesse a BIG "thank you" for taking the time to introduce new sports and ways to stay active with our students!

Sportball Okanagan offers many different sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, rugby, hockey, volleyball, tennis, golf, and more to children in our community. They have programs for all ages and abilities.

Check out Sportball Okanagan or visit https://sportball.com/ to find a program happening in your community today!

Thank you to Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna, and the Central Okanagan Foundation for sponsoring this year's Summer Reading Program, none of this would be possible without your generosity.

Only three days until the launch of Okanagan’s First Permanent StoryWalk® and the celebration of Julia's Junction's 1st anniversary!

The community is invited to join Mayor Gord Milsom, and COEYP members: Childhood Connections, Project Literacy, City of West Kelowna, Starbright Children's Development Centre, and Okanagan Regional Library - West Kelowna as well as special guests at the official launch.

DATE/TIME: July 27th from 1-3pm
LOCATION: Julia’s Junction – 2569 May St, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2J6

The first story featured in the circuit is I Can Too! written by Karen Autio and illustrated by Lauren Watson. This story was chosen to celebrate inclusivity and diversity, as is the theme of Julia’s Junction. The stories will be changed out seasonally to keep the StoryWalk® experience fresh and new. The selected picture books feature a diverse range of stories and illustration styles that are well suited to anyone from preschool age and up.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, contact [email protected]

Our annual Raise-a-Reader Fundraiser Campaign takes place from July 1st to the September 30th. Funds raised during this time are ‘topped up’ by the Provincial Government. This makes Raise-a-Reader the best time to donate to Project Literacy, as your donation is almost doubled!

Raise a Reader funds are used to support our children, family, and adult literacy programs.

History of Raise-a-Reader:

The Raise-a-Reader fundraising and awareness campaign was created by Post Media in 1997 to support family literacy programs in BC. It helps to fund programs which improve literacy skills. These skills are the foundation for lifelong learning that affects the quality of life and the health and social economic well-being of individuals, families and communities.

In conjunction with the Raise-a-Reader Campaign, we will be hosting a Fundraiser BBQ at the end of September (details TBD). We were so pleased with last year's turn out from community members who came to enjoy music, food, games and to support Project Literacy’s family programming.

You can donate directly to the ‘Raise-a-Reader’ Campaign by:

1. Following our CanadaHelps platform here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/sign-in?ReturnUrl=/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d8409

2. Cheque mailed to Project Literacy Central Okanagan, 1635 Bertram Street,
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2G5

3. E-transfer: sent to [email protected]

Every dollar raised until September 30th, 2024 will be matched with 75¢ by the Canadian government.

Thank you for your incredible support!

PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

Members of the Central Okanagan Early Years Partnership (COEYP) and Partners for Literacy Committee are delighted to launch the Okanagan’s First Permanent StoryWalk® on the one-year anniversary of Julia’s Junction, Okanagan’s first accessible playground.

DATE/TIME: July 27th from 1-3pm
LOCATION: Julia’s Junction – 2569 May St, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2J6

The community is invited to join Mayor Gord Milsom, and COEYP members: Childhood Connections, Project Literacy, City of West Kelowna, Starbright Children's Development Centre, and Okanagan Regional Library - West Kelowna as well as special guests at the official launch.

The first story featured in the circuit is I Can Too! written by Karen Autio and illustrated by Lauren Watson. This story was chosen to celebrate inclusivity and diversity, as is the theme of Julia’s Junction. The stories will be changed out seasonally to keep the StoryWalk® experience fresh and new. The selected picture books feature a diverse range of stories and illustration styles that are well suited to anyone from preschool age and up.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, contact [email protected]

We are officially halfway through the July session of the Summer Reading Program! Yesterday, we were lucky enough to have some amazing student volunteers join us from UBC Okanagan's "Lets Talk Sciences Program."

The volunteers started with an engaging story time and led a brainstorm of all the animals we see in our community and what kind of traces they leave behind. We, then, put our skills to the test! The students had so much fun looking for animal tracks and traces in the schoolyard and making their very own field report. We finished off the session with an animal tracks craft!

Project Literacy and the students from the Summer Reading Program give a HUGE thank you to the volunteers that took the time to pass on their passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)!

For more information about 'Let's Talk Science' visit: https://letstalkscience.ca/outreach/ubc
Let's Talk Science Outreach UBC Okanagan

As always, thank you to Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation for sponsoring the 2024 Summer Reading Program.

Last night, Executive Director, Paul Zuurbier had the immense pleasure of representing Project Literacy at the 100 Women Who Care 'Summer Series' at Sandhill Winery. Four times a year, 100 Women Who Care host a two-hour social event where like-minded women who are passionate about raising funds for local charities get together to socialize and learn about some of the great things happening in our community. Project Literacy was honoured to have been one of three nominated charitable organizations asked to make a five-minute presentation. After a short Q&A, members voted and the winning charity received collective donations.

Congratulations to Hands In Service for their well-deserved win!

Follow this link for more information about and to join 100 Women Who Care: https://www.100womenwhocarekelowna.com/

Week 2 of our Summer Reading Program is in full swing! On Tuesday we had loads of fun playing some literacy games and, of course, enjoyed some partner reading!

The 2024 program is generously sponsored by Source Office Furniture , The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation. Thank you for making this possible!

It's time to ketchup on the freshest tomato trends with this weeks Garden Jargon! Happy Saturday!

The 2024 Summer Reading Program is off to a fantastic start! Today, Alison from the Rutland Public Library joined us to speak to the students about all of the amazing things the Library has to offer and toped it off with a very engaging story time that the students loved!

Project Literacy gives a huge thank you to Alison and the Rutland Public Library for taking the time to visit today.

The Okanagan Regional Library has so many amazing events and clubs that promote and foster literacy and Project Literacy is so grateful to be able to partner with them for this year's Summer Reading Program.

For parents looking for summer reading resources check out the BC Summer Reading Club which begins on July 17th!
Visit: https://bcsrc.ca/

To check out what is going on at a library near you visit: https://www.orl.bc.ca/

Generously sponsored by Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Project Literacy needs Tutors!

Complete an application form today and begin changing a life!
https://projectliteracy.ca/volunteer-become-a-tutor/become-a-tutor/

Meet Doug White -- our July Volunteer of the Month!

Doug has been with Project Literacy for one and a half years and loving the work he is doing with his Ukrainian student, Kos. We are so happy to have him as one of our incredibly dedicated tutors.

Click the below link to learn more about Doug!
https://projectliteracy.ca/volunt.../volunteer-of-the-month/

YOU, too, can become a tutor with Project Literacy and help someone in need.
Simply follow this link and APPLY TODAY: https://projectliteracy.ca/volunteer-become-a-tutor/become-a-tutor/

You can't beet this weeks Garden Jargon!

Exciting things are happening here at Project Literacy! Our 2024 Summer Reading Program books have arrived! Education Coordinators: Pat Pobuda and Dorothy Harrower are looking forward to exploring these books with our incoming child readers! Let the fun begin!

Generously sponsored by Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation.

Our Summer Reading Program is just a week away! Education Coordinators Pat Pobuda and Dorothy Harrower are so excited to welcome this year's readers!

The theme of this year’s program is 'Tails and Tales,' filled with fabulous stories about animals, nature and inclusion. The program aims to help students find enjoyment through reading and, in turn, improve their literacy skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Generously sponsored by Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation.

Our office is closed today, reopening tomorrow at 9am.

A little sneak peak of what we have growing in our community garden!

There is a lot going on at Project Literacy! Fostering a thriving community requires various components which is why we launched our community garden in 2020. It is a partnership between Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society and KCR Community Resources.

The Community Care Garden has fourteen (14) garden boxes located around the outside of the KCR building and Project Literacy’s Learning Centre. Each Spring, the boxes are planted with vegetables, which are watered, pruned and harvested under the guidance of a Community Gardener. Staff and volunteers water the vegetables regularly each week and once harvested, the vegetables are provided to families in need, as identified by KCR.

Today Project Literacy acknowledges Canadian Multiculturalism day as an opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches Canada collectively. This day is a reminder to reaffirm our commitment to equity, respect, and inclusion.

Meet Project Literacy's June Learner of the month: Soreth Plazas. Soreth is an outstanding learner with fierce determination and drive. Congratulations on this achievement as she continues to work towards her literacy goals!

Click here to read her story: https://projectliteracy.ca/contact/2897-2/

To VOLUNTEER with Project Literacy and make a difference in someone's life, click here:
https://projectliteracy.ca/volunteer.../become-a-tutor/

The application for the Children's Summer Reading Program (generously sponsored by Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation) is June 28th!

APPLY TODAY!

See link for details: https://projectliteracy.ca/programs/childrens-summer-reading-program/

On June 18th, 2024, Project Literacy held our Annual General Meeting. Project Literacy has continued to provide all of our literacy programs over the past year. In attendance were the Board of Directors, Project Literacy staff members, volunteers and learners. All were provided with details of Project Literacy's success of 2023, as well as our plans for the coming year. There was a special talk from Tutor, Doug White and his Learner, Klymiuk “Kos” Kostiantyn who enlightened us all on their education journey, together.

Thank you to all who attended and we look forward to a prosperous 2024!

June is National Indigenous Peoples Month and Today, June 21st, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Project Literacy would like to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

"The visual for National Indigenous Peoples Day includes some of the same elements as the National Indigenous History Month design. The sun, represented by the date "June 21," remains in the centre to demonstrate its importance in the festivities. First Nations, Inuit and Métis as well as the four elements of nature (earth, water, fire and air) are represented by different symbols and colours. The visual is supported by a multicoloured smoke* reminding us of Indigenous spirituality but also the colours of the rainbow, symbol of inclusion and diversity of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and their members." - The Government of Canada

Today, Project Literacy acknowledges 'World Refugee Day' and honours those who are Refugees around the globe. Together, with our many community partners, we strive to do our best to help those in need as they settle within Canada within a new life.

The 2024 Summer Reading Program is still considering applicants!

Project Literacy is offering a FREE Summer Reading Program to support students currently in grades 1-3 who are reading below their grade level.

The program will give students the opportunity to engage with literacy in a fun and supportive way. The program will be delivered through a Balanced Literacy approach and will include indoor and outdoor literacy activities, light refreshments, free take home books, creative individual & group activities and literacy games.
Parents interested should contact their child's school for application forms. Applications need to be returned to Project Literacy by Friday, June 28th.

Schools currently participating in our ONE TO ONE Reading Program will be contacted first. If there are any spots remaining, we will reach out to other SD23 schools.

Parents can sign their child up for either the July or August sessions. If there is room for a student to participate in both sessions, we will let parents know.
The first reading program will begin Tuesday, July 9th and finish on Thursday, August 1st. The second reading program will start Tuesday, August 6th and end on Thursday, August 29th.
Program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Thank you to Source Office Furniture, The Rotary Club of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foundation for sponsoring this program!

For any other questions or concerns contact:
Dorothy Harrower,
Summer Education Coordinator
[email protected]
250-762-2163

Happy Fathers Day!

Project Literacy is happy to be partnering with Central Okanagan Family Hub - Kelowna Central Okanagan Public Schools and Rotary International to make this years Summer Reading Program possible!

For more information about the Summer Reading Program visit: https://projectliteracy.ca/.../childrens-summer-reading.../

Project Literacy's Annual General Meeting is under a week away! Have you RSVP'd your attendance yet? Contact [email protected] today!

SEE YOU THERE!