Empowering children in Toronto through access to high quality Literacy Programming
TORONTO, July 16, 2019 /CNW/ - At Woburn Junior Public School on Tuesday, the Leacock Foundation celebrated the expansion of its signature literacy program, LEAP into Literacy Summer Camp, thanks to a two-year, $211,300 Grow grant made by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) last fall. Local MPP Mitzie Hunter and Maggie Broda, an OTF volunteer, stopped in to hear how the program being offered in Scarborough and two other communities is progressing. The funds will allow for an enhancement of LEAP to accommodate younger students and students who have designated Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
"This initiative will empower our children by providing them with the opportunity to develop their skills, competencies, and confidence. This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is an investment in Scarborough's future as well as neighbouring communities. Initiatives like LEAP into Literacy Summer Camp allow our children to develop a strong sense of well-being and belonging, and expands their understanding of the world. I am excited to embark on this lifelong literacy journey with the Scarborough community," said Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood.
This initiative is helping children and youth who are facing barriers develop strong emotional and social skills. There has been an overwhelming response in registrations at the pilot site. The Foundation is excited to positively impact the lives of children in Toronto's priority neighborhoods through a unique literacy-focused four week, fully subsidized, full day program.
"For the past 19 years, we have offered the communities we serve a fully subsidized platform of literacy and leadership programs that are designed to unlock potential and bridge the opportunity gap faced by children living in challenging socio-economic circumstances. Support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation allows us to extend our reach and impact even more children," said Kristine Gaston, Executive Director, Leacock Foundation.
About the Leacock Foundation: www.leacockfoundation.org
The Leacock Foundation is a registered Canadian charity based in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2002 by Peter Oliver of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, our mission is to address the inequality of opportunity for underserved and at-risk youth living in challenging economic and social circumstances. We strive to address this inequity by providing children access to a fully-subsidized platform of literacy and leadership programs designed to help them overcome barriers, unlock their potential and contribute to their communities. At the core of our work is the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, are born with potential. By igniting and accelerating potential, we are able to close the opportunity gap faced by low income communities and provide a bridge to academic and personal success.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation: www.otf.ca
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada's leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $108 million to some 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
SOURCE The Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children
Kristine Gaston, Executive Director, The Leacock Foundation, Ph: 416-489-9309, [email protected]
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