Their excitement is infectious.
Fresh from the Monday school day and fueled by a healthy snack, a group of 20 or so Thunderbird elementary students are ready for the host of after school activities that await.
For the members of the school's Kid's First Program, first things first: hit the playground. Second: homework time, aided by the group of West Vancouver high school students on their way, followed by creative crafts and reading.
"Look!" A little girl exclaims, proudly holding up a piece of paper bigger than she.
"It's a penguin!" she explains, her larger-than-life drawing's rounded head and googly eyes spot on.
Such is the scene at the East Vancouver elementary school Mondays to Thursdays, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The Kid's First Program is in its second year, launched in October 2012 thanks to the efforts of visionaries: the school's former principal Henry Peters (who's since moved to Lord Roberts elementary); Birgid Lehmann, inner city project teacher for Thunderbird; and Heidi Bensen, community schools co-ordinator for the Vancouver School Board.
"It was a labour of love," says Lehmann.
Thunderbird, located at 2325 Cassiar St. and serving grades K-7, is considered an inner city elementary school (one of 14 in the district). "The VSB's definition of inner city school is a high proportion rate of children who meet the criteria of being considered vulnerable and at-risk," says Bensen. The Thunderbird community is diverse, and examples of challenges facing some families include lack of connection to their community, poverty, mental health issues and language barriers, she says.
Inspired by research that shows if you extend the school day, children are more successful, Kid's First was viewed as a "natural fit" for the elementary. While there were some after school programs offered at the adjacent Thunderbird Community Centre, there were no after school programs offered at the school on a regular basis.
"We see it as an extension of the school day," says Bensen.
"It lives the life of a Thunderbird child, just a longer day in a lot of ways. We're not saying that there's anything missing in these children's lives, we're just here to add on and extend the great day to a bit longer with healthy snacks, recreational activities, some great partners that want to come in and expose kids to some really cool things here at the school, and more than anything that they get a soft, safe place to land," says Bensen.
The program takes a kind, gentle, non-punitive approach, and is not to be viewed in the same way as detention, like the students are being forced to stay after school.
"Kid's First is an opportunity for kids to figure out how to fix whatever went wrong during the day, how to get some support for something that's not working in their lives, how to just come and hang out and be with their friends, take a risk and try something new, but more than anything just be well cared for by our staff. That's what we're here for," says Bensen.
Participating students are identified by staff, believing them to be vulnerable or at-risk and that they would benefit from having a positive environment in which to go after school.
There are currently 42 children enrolled, in grades 2-6.
Kid's First is donor-run. The Vancouver School Board provides the space and staff time, including inner city neighbourhood assistant Kathy Froncisz, who is on hand to oversee each session, in addition to two programmers.
The program got up and running thanks to a one-time $20,000 grant from the Vancouver Sun's Adopt-A-School Program. Now, its operation is made possible by a growing list of supporters, mainly the Cause We Care Foundation, dedicated to supporting local single mothers and their children in need, which has donated $40,000 over the last two years.
A group of students from West Vancouver's Collingwood School come to Thunderbird on Mondays for a one-to-one buddy program, providing academic support to their elementary school charges. They also read together, as well as just play and have some fun in the case of the teens paired with the youngest students.
On Wednesdays, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music offers programming and Big Brothers comes in on Thursdays to meet with a small group of boys.
Lehmann is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of donors.
"Without Cause We Care, we wouldn't be existing," she says.
Lehmann has seen firsthand the difference Kid's First has made in her students' lives. One anecdote she shares is of two girls in Grade 2 who were believed to be facing some challenges at home. In addition, their mother spoke limited English. When Lehmann met them, they wouldn't speak, though since being in the program, that's no longer the case.
"All of a sudden here were two children that weren't speaking that were singing and playing," she says, as well noting their language skills have improved, having the additional immersion in English.
Lehmann's students also enjoy the time spent with the Collingwood students, and anticipate their arrival. Some duos are going on year two of being paired up so have built strong relationships. "You can see their eyes light up when they come in," she says.
Grade 12 Collingwood School student Kelsey Petersen, 17, has been volunteering with Kid's First since its launch. "I really enjoy it," she says.
The program has proven increasingly popular at her school. "This year there is a waiting list, which really surprised me, but I'm happy there is," she says.
Petersen has struggled with school in the past so knows firsthand how important it is to have support and extra homework help. She says she feels pleased with the opportunity to be able to give back and help inspire her buddy.
"It also shows that you can do it and everybody's the same," she says of the program's ability to break down barriers.
Deep Cove resident Michelle Jankovich serves as a board member of the Cause We Care Foundation. She'd love to see Kid's First grow to serve more Thunderbird kids, be extended to offer Friday programming, and potentially even see a similar model offered at additional local schools.
She feels incredibly fortunate to be part of the program.
"I take away complete gratitude.. .. To see these kids benefit. If you make a difference in one child's life, let alone 40 kids' lives, think of the impact that has on community and their lives going forward... This is life-long benefits to these children," she says.
Kid's First is just one of the initiatives supported by Cause We Care, which was founded in 2007 by Andrea Thomas Hill, current chairwoman. From humble beginnings, the registered charity is continuing to expand its reach in its quest to offer a hand up to single mothers.
"These are moms that are committed to moving themselves forward," says Jankovich.
The foundation's initiatives are focused on three pillars: housing, childcare and the provision of basic necessities. Cause We Care is in the midst of a $1.5 million capital campaign in support of the YWCA Cause We Care House, a facility to be located at 720 East Hastings St., slated to open in 2015 offering 21 units of subsidized housing and program space for single mothers and their children.
Kid's First, which the foundation heard of through the Vancouver Sun, was viewed as a means of making it easier for single mothers to work, alleviating the stress of what to do with their children during the after school hours.
Cause We Care also operates annual Christmas and Mother's Day Hamper Drives. The non-profit connects with local front line agencies to identify mothers who would benefit. On the North Shore, hampers are given to women through North Shore Neighbourhood House and North Shore Crisis Services Society. Last year 500 hampers were distributed and they're hoping to distribute 540 this year. Donations to the current holiday hamper drive are due Dec. 12.
Jankovich, who manages the Equity Capital Markets division for Haywood Securities Inc., feels deeply for the women Cause We Care supports.
A single mom herself to two teenage children, she feels fortunate to be working in a good job and to have a home. "Each one of us, we're one step away," she says, crediting the support of friends and family with she and her children's wellbeing. "We're so lucky," she says.
Jankovich encourages community members to get involved with the Cause We Care Foundation by making a monetary contribution in support of the many initiatives it supports, either by making a donation or purchasing special fundraising bracelets sold at Blue Ruby locations, ranging in price from $15-$45.
For those who'd rather donate their time, Jankovich says there are many opportunities to come on board as a volunteer, explaining they're happy to link their donor and support base with identified needs in the community at Thunderbird and beyond. She invites more schools on the North Shore to get involved as well as individual adult volunteers who may wish to come in and offer a session on their respective specialty, gardening for instance.
With the five o'clock hour creeping closer, another session of Kid's First is about to wrap for the day. The excitement level is still high as Thunderbird and Collingwood students work away on their various endeavours.
Lehmann chats with program staff about one little boy's rough day that she helped turn around, and scans the room reflectively.
When asked what she takes away from her involvement in Kid's First, she says, "Thankfulness that there are these wonderful people like Michelle (Jankovich) out there and I also marvel at the amazing resilience of the kids here." For those with challenging home lives, "They still come to school, they still smile. They do have their occasional bad day but they're back here again trying again," she says.
"I want to make a difference for these kids because they deserve good stuff," she adds.
causewecare.org
