As an organization that represents many low-income children in racialized communities, we advocate for the right of education and recognize that while access is equal, it is not equitable. Being in over 60 communities across the country, we have seen up close and personally the gaps in educational access.
We’re grateful. Because you cared, thousands of kids in your community and across Canada will be able to rise above what seemed like insurmountable challenges during this pandemic.
We want to share this special Gratitude Report highlighting all your accomplishments throughout this summer, as well as our plan for continuing to impact the lives of our most vulnerable children in the coming school year. It may look a little different, but our goal remains the same – to give every child the tools to succeed.
The shoes have been so well received. It was fun to watch their faces when they would open up and see their brand-new shoes. They were so excited, and we heard audible gasps! I know at least three kids haven't even waited until fall and are already wearing their shoes, whether they need or because they loved them. Even the colours were a hit this year.
The conclusion was that classroom-based physical activity breaks immediately increase psychological variables associated with increased cognitive functioning and math performance regardless of dose. Cognitively engaging physical activity leads to the greatest improvements in math performance, without losing teaching time.
Start2Finish is dedicated to continuing to provide ongoing support for the marginalized children we serve. In light of the governments’ announcements about re-opening schools in certain provinces, here is our plan for resuming and enhancing our vital programming this fall:
We plan to resume in-person programs in regions where it is allowed. Recommendations from SickKids and other health experts have addressed concerns about the mental health and wellness of our nation’s children and the need for them to be back in safe, familiar social environments like schools.
The health and safety of our children is critical, so we will have enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols in place in alignment with school policies and procedures.
We will maximize outdoor activity time to ensure appropriate social distancing and reduce risks around close indoor physical contact.
We are exploring cohorting children in the program, parallel to the schools’ cohorting plans.
We are in discussions around securing appropriate masks for physical activity.
Where schools do not resume regular programming or where they operate a blended model of classroom and online learning, we have developed a hybrid of virtual and in-person program delivery and mentorship.
Sport is suited to improve mental health and help in the healing process after an experience like COVID-19. Embedded in the Running & Reading Club program is relationships with trusted Coaches, repetitive and patterned activities that are key to making children feel safe, and a model that builds vital social/emotional agencies like motivation, resilience and self-efficacy that will equip children to respond to this and future challenges. The one-on-one and small group literacy and reading time will also create a safe space for children to explore various topics, develop a social emotional learning process, and ask important questions.
Start2Finish believes in creating caring communities and collaborating with partners in various sectors including health and wellbeing, mental health, education, housing, business, community leaders, etc. We need each other and this network of support in order to help children navigate this pandemic and come out of it thriving.
Start2Finish's phenomenal volunteers have taken on the challenge during COVID-19!
Organic volunteering has grown during this time as volunteers have transitioned from traditional roles to find new ways to meet the needs of the children we serve. Now we are looking at how our volunteers can continue to support the mission of Start2Finish amidst our "new unfamiliar". There are a number of areas we are focusing on as we move forward in the process of engaging volunteers in innovative and creative ways to continue to impact Canada's most vulnerable children.
As society becomes more dependent on technology as a scholarly solution, children are blocks apart but worlds away. Especially during this unprecedented time with COVID-19, a comprehensive and synchronous solution is critical. The Start2Finish Virtual Learning Platform bridges the gap with its easy interface and simple philosophy: make learning fun, flexible and feasible. The solution is focused on marginalized elementary/middle school children (grades 1-6) from low-income, black, indigenous, new Canadian and other racialized/cultural minority communities, and will bring together all of the elements of our multi-pronged approach (physical, mental, academic, social and psychological). The Platform is currently being developed and will be ready to pilot in Fall 2020.
As an organization that represents many low-income children in racialized communities, we advocate for the right of education and recognize that while access is equal, it is not equitable. Being in over 60 communities across the country, we have seen up close and personally the gaps in educational access.
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Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge the land on which we work, and which Start2Finish operates, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land. In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.
We welcome you to acknowledge the land you are on https://www.whose.land/fr/
