In the KidSafe Writers’ Room at Queen Alexandra Elementary, students work on creative literacy projects with the one-on-one attention of volunteer tutors. In partnership with the Vancouver School Board’s Community School Team and the York House School, the KidSafe Writers’ Room offers an after-school tutoring program for students in grades 1 through 7. Writers’ Room tutors also help with KidSafe’s school-break literacy programming. When a child is given the opportunity to work one-on-one with a tutor, he or she can complete projects to the best of his or her ability, and boost literacy skills and self-esteem. Click here to view the chapbook done by Winter participants titled "Sir Punchwood and The Great Kingdom of Writers' Room.
For more information and to volunteer with the KidSafe Writers' Room, click here.
Every Tuesday afternoon, fifteen grade 11 and 12 York House students spend two hours with our KidSafe children in the Writers' Room at Queen Alexandra Elementary, working on homework and special assignments given by teachers in areas where the students need extra support.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for our kids to have that one-one time with a tutor but I think it’s also been really meaningful for the girls coming from the west side to spend some time with our kids; I think there’s a lot of learning happening for all parties involved.” — Kristi Rintoul, Manager of Programming and Development
The teachers are seeing the results too and report that after tutoring, students come to class with a better attitude and with their homework done, ready for a day of new learning.
KidSafe in partnership The UGC Junior Golf Society, provides inner-city elementary school children with an introduction to the wonderful game of golf by providing the facilities, equipment, instruction and refreshment in a relaxed and supervised environment. This partnership presents a unique opportunity for KidSafe children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to visit a golf course. KidSafe children are picked up every Friday and driven to the UGC golf course where they are met by a golf pro and volunteers who help them not only learn the game but acquire skills and disciplines that will last them a lifetime.
“We wanted to teach young people the game of golf but thought further and decided why not teach young people that wouldn’t otherwise have the means to play golf. This is why KidSafe is such an important partner in that they have access to Vancouver’s most vulnerable kids.” — UGC Volunteer
In keeping with our mandate to ensure that at-risk children have a safe place to go when school is not in session, GEMS provides a safe place for girls to spend time together once a week, to check in with trustworthy, female role models and to feel comfortable trying new forms of exercise in an inclusive, non judgmental environment. Participants have the chance to try physical activities they have never tried before. Self esteem, healthy eating, and body image are also explored with the overall focus on increasing the participation of non-active females in physical activity. Some of the activities explored through GEMS have been: Yoga, Pilates, Kick Boxing, Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance, Swimming and Rock Climbing.
