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A year in review...
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INSIDE
Each year Strong Start looks for
opportunities to highlight the
importance of literacy spread the
word about its programs. This year
produced a unique opportunity for
Strong Start to share its message with
an audience of nearly 100,000.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The last 12 months have been rich with development, re-development, imagination and
re-imagination. We have seen growth in all programs and have worked hard to get
Strong Start ready for the next 10 years. We started by giving Strong Start a new look
and re-branded our organization as "Strong Start to reading." We also created
additional brands for our Letters, Sounds and Words and Get Ready for School
programs. January started with real excitement as the Baby Literacy
Collaborative announced the launch of Baby Connections, thanks to three
years of funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Lyle S.
Hallman Foundation, along with a one-time grant from The Waterloo
Regional Record Literacy Fund, administered by the Kitchener and Waterloo
Community Foundation. January also saw the start of the CHYM and Kix 106
Cares Campaign featuring Strong Start. This year, on the program side, we
increased enrolment, enhanced program quality and made it easier to
deliver. We’ve transformed the way we collect assessment results from our
partner schools and community centres, and how we communicate with
them through the use of technology. In June, we were in the media again
with news of Strong Start being chosen as Social Venture Partners' first non-
profit beneficiary, and the announcement of five years of core funding by the
Lyle S. Hallman Foundation for our Get Ready for School program. I hope
I've sufficiently piqued your interest that you'll want to turn the page to
learn more about what we`ve been doing over the last year. On behalf of
our organization and the thousands of children we serve, I want to sincerely
thank the generous people in our Strong Start communities for their
continued financial support of our programs and for their time and energy in
volunteering! All the best,
Machelle Denison, Executive Director
Finding a way to do more with less
meant new technology for Strong
Start; with enhanced program quality
and ease of delivery as the goals. It’s
twelve months later and Strong Start
is benefiting from SiTE SOURCE™,
a web-based data-entry tool,
eCommunications and more...
TECHNOLOGY TRIUMPH
Exciting progress this year includes
enhancements to the Letters, Sounds
and Words program™, moving from
pilot to implementation of Get Ready
for School™ and the launch of Baby
Connections™. See Page Two.
PROGRAM PROGRESS
December 2011
Program Progress
Letters, Sounds and Words
is a program for children ages five
to seven. In schools volunteers,
help children learn to identify letter
names, sounds and sight words.
Get Ready for School is a pro-
gram for children ages three and
four. It helps develop early read-
ing skills, vocabulary and proper
classroom behaviours.
Baby Connections is a collabo-
rative initiative which supports
early literacy skill development for
babies 6 to 12 months old in
Waterloo Region.
Enhancement is the word used to
describe this year’s Letters,
Sounds and Words activity.
Starting with volunteers' training
m a n u a l s a n d f i n i s h i n g
with organization of activity
kits, we concentrated on making
things more user-friendly. The
outcome is more consistent pro-
gram delivery and happier volun-
teers. Coaches' manuals now in-
clude sim-
plified in-
struct ions,
an agenda
for each
session and
p h o t o s
s h o w i n g
how to set
up games
and activities, saving our volun-
teers valuable time and energy.
We published our own set of Little
Books, written by Inge Ford, that
are an integral part of our pro-
gram. This enhancement is the
answer to an unannounced
change in supplier that threatened
to cause us problems.
More enhancements on Page 3.
From Pilot to Flight: after over
two years of testing, incredible
results and the generous Lyle S.
Hallman Foundation five-year
grant, Get Ready for School
(based on the research of Dr. Iuli-
ana Baciu) will take a foothold in
the community early in 2012,
when four community centres will
host the 44-
session pro-
gram. Two
programs will
be offered in
Cambridge at
P o p c o r n
House and
P r e s t o n
H e i g h t s
Community
Centre and another two will be
offered at Kitchener's Kingsdale
Community Centre and Country
Hills Community Centre.
Visit the Strong Start website for
more information.
Baby Connections was officially
launched on January 28th, 2011,
based on compelling research
which shows that language and
literacy learning begin at
birth. Thanks to strong community
support, the mission to 'motivate
and support parents to facilitate
early literacy skill development,
starting in their child's first year of
life,’ is off to a good start’.
Baby Connections provides parents
and care-givers with hands-on
learning opportunities and a free
early literacy toolkit which builds
awareness, knowledge and behav-
iours to help ensure the future suc-
cess of our community's youngest
learners. Over the last three
months, more than 30 individuals
from six community organizations
have participated in early-literacy
skills training. Community Facilita-
tors are now busy integrating Baby
Connections into local programs
such as Baby & Me, Make the
Connection, and Busy Babies.
www.strongstart.ca
2
Real Results
2,243
children
served in over
135 schools
88 to100%
of children
made significant,
excellent or
outstanding gains
1,900
volunteers
contributed
32,000 hours
In this final year of the pilot project,
nearly 30 children were served at two
locations. Measuring vocabulary and
verbal ability, based on age-
equivalency scores, children demon-
strated a full one-year gain in their as-
sessment results. Using standardized
testing, children showed an almost
eight-fold increase in sounds awareness
from the time they started the program
until completion. Children demonstrat-
ed consistent, effective classroom
learning behaviour and their assess-
ment scores showed significant im-
provement.
Technology Triumph
Financial and in-kind support opened doors to a major technology
upgrade at Strong Start, creating the opportunity for ‘more:’ more
capacity for program delivery which means more children served.
We now reap the benefits of five new technologies. We've im-
proved efficiency, enhanced the quality and ease of program de-
livery and improved our ability to communicate with our program
partners and stakeholders. From telephones to the Strong Start
website, we’ve taken a giant leap into the future.
Top Three New Technologies:
SiTE SOURCE - a web tool to collect program participation and
assessment data 24/7. In addition, it provides a one-stop resource
library for program partners.
SharePoint Server - a web tool used by Strong Start team mem-
bers working away from the office to share documents and photos.
Constant Contact - a communications tool which creates easy-to-
read, interactive email.
Strong Start website
new look
Site Co-ordinator
eNewsletter
SiTE SOURCE™ data entry tool
3
Mighty Machines
- Family event
Giant Tiger
- Anniversary, BBQ
Word on the Street
- Victoria Park
Family Literacy Day
- Conestoga Mall
Community Connections
Awareness of Strong Start and our Letters, Sounds and Words program skyrocketed
this year, thanks to the seven-week CHYM Cares and KiX Cares Charity of the Month
campaign.
Through the airing of five public service announcements featuring personal messages
from parents, volunteers and Strong Start personnel, listeners learned more about the
impact our programs have on the children we serve and the volunteers who make it
happen.
Strong Start also showcased program-related interactive activities at events
throughout Kitchener and Waterloo. For the second consecutive year, we felt
the mighty engines roar as we, the charity partner, shared stories and
information with visitors at Mighty Machines. A roar of a different kind was heard as the Giant Tiger mascot
helped Strong Start greet guests at the stores' 50th Anniversary Celebration BBQ. Family Literacy Day at
Conestoga Mall and Word on the Street in Victoria Park were wonderful opportunities to talk with parents and
children. We were proud to be among the many highly regarded, literacy-focused organizations of the
Kitchener and Waterloo area.
Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region selected Strong Start
Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region chooses Strong Start In
November 2010, Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region was launched
with a focus on supporting children and youth. After a thorough
application process, Strong Start was selected in June of 2011 as its first
beneficiary of funding and expert advice. A minimum of three years'
investment will have significant impact on the strength and capacity of
Strong Start's organization and programs.
Social Venture Partners combines philanthropy with the volunteering of
time and expertise by its members. Strong Start is honoured and excited
to tap into, and be guided by the expertise, information and resources
that Social Venture Partners offers.
Social Venture Partners
Social Venture Partners is a regional
network of individuals who invest and
partner with non-profits in Waterloo
Region. Founded in November 2010.
4
Program Partners Team Trail
Memorial Dedication
With honour and appreciation, Machelle Den-
ison presented the first set of the new Little
Books to Ken Silvester at the Site Co-ordinator
event in September. The books are dedicated
to Ken's wife, the late Lynda Silvester, Strong
Start's co-founder. The books were created
with the support of her memorial donors.
- Community Fund - The Jim and Sue Hallman Family Fund - David and Eleanor Yach Family Fund
5
Board of Trustees
Steve Cameron – Chair Carol Jankowski
Stanley Nahrgang Linda Fabi
Jim Hallman Glen Boy
Executive Director Director of Program
Machelle Denison Inge Ford - Waterloo Region
Administrative Assistant Program Co-ordinators
Darlene Koebel
Community Liaison
Mieke Schroder -
Brant Haldimand Norfolk
Ken Silvester
Development Volunteer
Pam Valeriote -
Wellington County
Rosemary Trakal
Communications Lead
Ashley McKinnon -
Get Ready for School
Janis Roughley Training and Materials
Assistant
Eden Hambleton
Letters, Sounds and Words program
Get Ready for School program
City of Kitchener
- Country Hills Community Centre
- Kingsdale Community Centre
In Cambridge Ontario
- Popcorn House
- Preston Heights Community Centre
Thank you...
Strong Start Donations
On-line: www.CanadaHelps.org
Cheque to: Strong Start Charitable
Foundation, 20 Crestview Place,
Kitchener, ON N2B 0A2
Charitable Registration #858636434RR0001
Website: www.strongstart.ca
Email: [email protected]
Call: 519-743-9578.
Thank you... Individuals
Angela Szijarto
Ann Cleveland
Ann Knechtel
Anne Marie Bettschen
Anne Strassburger
Arthur & Marion White
Authur & Marion White
Barbara Hill
Betty Townshend
Beverley Saliwonchyk
Bill & Eleanor Vaughan
Bill & Mary Cressman
Bill & Nancy Tilt
Bill Blake
Bob & Cathie Fewster
Bonnie Bremner
Bonnie Jones
Bonnie Parker
Brenda Halloran
Brent Heard
Brian & Pat Carter
Brian & Wendy Forler
Bruce & Saralie Scandrett
Bryan & Jackie Murdoch
Carol Filipowitsch
Carol Jankowski
Carrie McGinnis
Catarina Tavares
Catharine Bombay
Catherine Catton
Cathy Salvatore
Cheryl Lee
Chloe Callender
Christina Weylie
Christine Loker
Corinne Chessell
Craig Simpson
Cynthia Brubacher
Dave & Julie Roth
David & Susan Lewis
David and Pat Graham
David Cooke
David Fedy
Dean & Sharon Elliott
Debbie Harding
Diane Karges
Dianne Querengesser
Dieter & Pat Blumenthal
Doneen Silvester
Donna Johnson
Donna Reid
Donna Robinson
Doris Murdoch
Doug & Donna Letson
Edward & Valerie Hastings
Elizabeth King
Elizabeth Mason
Elke Mayer
Ellen Dietrich
Ernie Parker
Ethan, Ella & Claire Roth
Frank Laferriere
Fred & Donna Mazurek
Garry & Claudia Haack
George & Helen Stillaway
Gerald & Joanne White
Geraldine Koppejan
Ginny Jans
Glen & Joan Kerr
Glen & Robin Boy
Gord & Helen Beal
Gord Beckenhauer
Grant & Elizabeth Cooper
Hank & Pam Salin
Heather Fields
Heather Wilson
Henning Grumme
Hulene Montgomery
Ian, Rob & Audrey Hember / Carr
Irene Golas
Irene Palmer
Jack & Lorraine Nesbitt
James & Janice Hember
James & Susan Hallman
Janice Mononen
Jean Haalboom
Jerry & Judith Van Ooteghem
Jim & Carolyn Hooper
Joan Montague
John & Candace Davies
John & Emilie Brown
John & Mary Fisher
John Milloy
John Small
Jonda Pieratt
Joyce McLean
Joyce Wong
Judith Cook
Judy Cutts
Judy McDonald
Judy Moffatt
Karen Fitzsimmons
Karen Leishman
Karen Luke
Karen Valeriote
Karl Wahl
Katherine Sestan-Jones
Kathy Cheung
Kathy Forsythe-Lantz
Kathy Simpson
Kathy Taylor
Ken & Elizabeth Bell
Ken Silvester
Kim & Mike Heathcote
Kim Krueger-Kischak
Kim Mannion
Kirk Omand
Klaus & Dianne Borch
Kristy Hunt
Larry and Joanne Baker
Laura Archibald
Laurie Herald
Laurie Weiler
Lawrence & Jane Bingeman
Leo & Joan Doodchenko
Les Houston
Leslie & Eileen Rogers
Leslie Johnston
Lewis & Inge Ford
Linda Fabi
Linda Gumble
Lorne & Debbie Silvester
Lynda Kirkland
Lynn Mueller
Malcolm & Lillian Tippin
Marchese Health Care
Marcia Smellie
Margaret Hennig
Margo Delaine
Marilyn Dufresne
Marilyn Marklevitz
Marjorie Snyder
Marny Morrison
Marvin & Susan Rempel
Mary Bailey
Mary Freiburger
Marybeth Snyder
Maxine Neller
Megan Conway
Meghan Stahlbrand
Melanie Ristau
Michael & Dawn Raines
Miriam LaPeare
Monique Goold
Murray & Norma Herz
Neal Warren
Norman & Reva White
Pat Ewart-McLean
Patricia Miller
Patricia Reeve
Patti Johnson
Paul & Eniko Speed / Bene
Paul & Janet Dullaert
Paul Derbecker
Peter & Lois Carney
Peter and Victoria Fitton
Rachel Addison
Ray & Ellace Applebaum
Rhonda Allen
Rhonda Propp
Rita Hickey
Rob & Carol Ann Currie
Robert & Hermina Schroeder
Robert & Phyllis Reist
Robert and Pam Robinson
Robert Huras
Robert Jones
Robert McCauley
Roberts Onsite
Roch & Pam Valeriote
Ronald & Eileen Baxter
Ronald Shram
Rosemary Trakalo
Ross & Sue Heimpel
Ruth Wohlgemuth
Sandra Vaughan
Sandra-Lee Chris
Scott Dickie
Shannon Nesbitt
Sharon Monteiro
Shawna Valoppi
Sheila Wittie
Shelley Des Cotes
Sherry Ratz
Stan & Donna Nahrgang
Stephen & Patricia Cameron
Steven & Patricia Haskell
Susan Burke
Susan Gerth
Susan Parr
Susanne Murdoch
Suzanne Fisk
Ted & Nancy Ray
Ted Schlotzhauer & Joanne Mumford
Tim & Jeanette Kennel
Tom & Liz Motz
Tony & Machelle Denison
Verna Parson
Vicky Spadoni
Warren & Martha Stauch
Wayne & Judy Davis
Wendy Brum
Will & Pam Verlinden
Cambridge & North Dumfries Community
Foundation Donors
Collins-Wright Fund David Thomas
Gower Family Fund
Marion Edgar Fund Osbourne Family Fund Preston IODE
RBC Foundation Virginia Adams
Organizations
AECL
Anthony International
BDO Financial Services Limited
Bellview Public School
Civitan Sports
Com Dev Ltd
Correctional Service Canada
Denison Print
Erb International Inc.
Gates Canada Inc.
Giant Tiger Stores Limited
Heffner Lexus-Heffner Toyota
Impact Events Group Inc.
Joseph Schneider Haus
Kavelman-Fonn Foundation
Kitchener Centre Provincial Liberal Association
Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club
Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
M R & R Data Services Inc.
Mezentco Inc. - Marchese Health Care
Morell Kelly Personal Injury Law
Paul A Bender Insurance
Rotary Club of Brantford Charitable Foundation
Rotary Club of Kitchener-Conestoga
Rotary Club of Kitchener-Grand River
Samuel W Stedman Foundation
Sunlife Financial
TD Canada Trust
The Kavelman-Fonn Foundation
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
Way-Mar Inc
Westvale Public School
In-kind Support
Brantford Kiwanis Club