Published May 18, 2019 06:00
Name: Serena
Age: 4
BGC Club Location: West End Hub
What is your favourite activity at the Boys and Girls Club?
Playing in the house
How does coming to the Boys and Girls Club make you feel?
Happy
What is your favourite memory of the Boys and Girls Club?
Making the Letter B Bumblebee Craft
"Good beginnings inspire great possibilities." This is the premise on which EarlyON programs were formed.
‘Helping families provide opportunities for children to build a strong foundation on which to grow is what we do,’ says Krista Pretty, Supervisor of EarlyON Programs at the Boys and Girls Club. ‘You will find something a little different at each EarlyON program that you visit, but what you will find the same is that the programs are designed to engage families, give them a sense of belonging and help them make connections to their community.
’EarlyON programs are offered in over 900 locations across the province, including many locations across Kingston, and are made possible through funding from the Government of Ontario. EarlyON Child and Family Centers enhance children’s learning and development, provide support to parents and caregivers, and connect families to community services by offering safe, welcoming environments that are open to all families with children 0 to 6 years. It’s a place where families can get support and advice from qualified professionals and get connected to community resources. They can make connections and build relationships that are an important part of realizing a child’s full potential.
Parents and Grandparents alike see the value of EarlyON programs, ‘The learning environment is well organized, clean and accessible. Activities are changed for each new session and are age appropriate and interesting. Staff are always welcoming and friendly without being intrusive. I enjoy taking my Granddaughter there. It certainly strengthens our bond together,’ a grandparent from the Glenburnie Public School location shares.
The Boys and Girls Club offers 136 hours of EarlyON programming each week in 9 community locations, 5 of which are schools. BGC EarlyON programs can be found at the West End Hub, East End Hub, Downtown Hub (Robert Meek Community Centre), Reg Shadbolt Learning Centre, J.R Henderson P.S, Centennial P.S., Joyceville P.S.Glenburnie P.S., and Holy Name Catholic School. All locations have Registered EarlyChildhood Educators that are responsible for creating learning environments based on the interest and needs of the children and families who attend that program. These learning environments are thoughtfully planned to create both active and quiet spaces.This allows for children to play independently or together in a variety of ways, providing opportunities for sensory play, creative art, music and movement, language and literacy, cognitive and problem solving play, science and nature, dramatic play, as well as active play opportunities.
Since becoming an EarlyON provider in July, the Boys and Girls Club has seen over 2200unique adults and children attend their EarlyON programs, averaging over 250 new visitors each month. All EarlyOn programs made possible through funding from the Government of Ontario and are offered to families at no cost. For a full schedule of programming offered at Boys and Girls Club locations, visit www.bgckingston.ca/programs/earlyon.
In addition to the 9 EarlyON program locations offered through the Boys and Girls Club,Kingston Community Health Centres and Rural Frontenac Community Services also offer EarlyON programming at additional locations in partnership with the City of Kingston. For a full list of EarlyON locations and programming available in Kingston and surrounding area, please visit www.cityofkingston.ca/earlyon.
Thank you to our donors!
McDonald’s restaurants in Kingston and Gananoque raised an incredible $45,000 in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area through the McHappy Day Campaign, pushing The Kingston Whig Standard Campaign well past the halfway mark.Thank you to Todd and Amy Shea, all of the staff and volunteers who made McHappy Day possible, and our amazing community for coming out on May 8 th to support children and youth!
$45,000 – McDonald’s Kingston & Gananoque
$2500 – Gary & Sherri McCabe Board of Directors
$600 – In Memory of Kristin Warner
$500 – In Memory of David E. Carter
$100 – Carol Slack$100 – Anonymous
$200 – Neil & Mary Neasmith
$100 – Anonymous
$50 – Anonymous
$50 – Anonymous
$100 – Amy Rossworm & Luis Bumbala
$125 – Anonymous
$50 – Anonymous
$100 – Terri & Bob Baxter
$25 – Anonymous
$250 – Anonymous
$100 – Barbara McMahon
Total Raised to Date: $64,317
Donate Now
Whig-Standard/Boys and Girls Club Campaign How to Donate By cheque:
To the address below and indicate if you would like to keep your donation anonymous.
By credit card (Visa, MasterCard): Call 613-507-3306, ext. 110
By cash: At the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area West End Hub, 1300 Bath Rd., Kingston, ON, K7M 4X4
Online: At www.bgckingston.ca , click on the secure “Donate Now” button on the top right side of the website.
Tax Receipt: A tax receipt will be mailed to you within four weeks.
Questions: Heather Hayhow, heatherh@bgckingston.ca
Thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area!