Our Community Report
Why do we do what we do?
Edmonton is a growing and diverse city! In 2013, our city population was over
820,000. Over 41,050 children and youth lived in poverty in metro Edmonton in
2012 with similar numbers in 2013.
It takes a village to raise a child
– African Proverb
Many families we assist are raising more than one child and cannot afford basic
supplies, food, shelter, a car to drive or luxuries such as extracurricular activities
for their children. (This often makes the acquisition of school supplies, clothes,
weather appropriate attire and snacks difficult and paying for school fees and field
trips sometimes impossible.) This is why ABC Head Start has been here for 29
years to address these issues, EVERY year, by servicing new children and families
that require support.
In 2013/2014, we were the largest Head Start program in Edmonton with 13
locations and 26 classrooms.
We offered specialized programming 4 half days per week, community
connectedness, support groups, bussing and nutritional snacks. We were also
here to provide warm smiles, a hot cup of coffee, good conversation and quality
resources and information; as we know this type of wrap around support delivery
assists in the decrease of poverty related issues, thus enabling sustained family
involvement in our thriving Edmonton city.
In addition, we also worked closely with our community partners to provide
families with food and supply hampers, donations of supplies and a backpack
full of summer supplies on our annual Literacy Backpack Day. We hosted family
events and activities to promote inclusion and presented at different locations and
schools in Edmonton, as well as participated in several community fairs. Our goal
has always been and continues to be; increase community awareness of ABC
Head Start, by creating meaningful connections.
We could not have done all of this, without the help of some wonderful community
minded people!
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Special THANKS to:
Mayor Don Iveson for participating in
our Literacy Backpack Day
Stacey Brotzel for hosting Tapestry
2014
CTV for Tapestry Media Sponsorship
Dr. Robert C.P. Westbury- our Honorary
Chair for Tapestry 2014
EPCOR for all the volunteers hours
packing and delivering backpacks for
Literacy Backpack day
The many kind supporters who
donated tickets to events, sporting
activities and other attractions and
goods to our families!