The Success By 6 fundraising campaign has officially been launched and committee members are hoping the community will be generous in donating to this program that looks at ways to improve literacy, nutrition, child play, parenting and family support for children up to age six.
"According to the latest research on brain development, the most critical period of a child's development is from conception to age six. Amazingly, 90 per cent of the brain's growth occurs by age five. This is when a young child is developing emotional and social attachment, language and motor skills," says the Success By 6 brochure.
Success By 6 is a provincial program supported in individual communities by community members, the Credit Union, United Way and the Ministry of Children and Families.
"What that partnership means is that every dollar donated will be matched from a $10 million grant to Success By 6 from the government," said Susan Hendricks of the Sunshine Coast Credit Union.
She is one of nearly 20 Success By 6 committee members who will oversee fundraising initiatives and look for ways to use the money raised in the community to best suit the needs of children under the age of six.
The committee has been meeting for some time. About six months ago they hired a coordinator to research the needs of children on the Coast.
"She looked for gaps in services to children from birth to age six and is compiling a report," said Hendricks.
The information in the report was gathered from various focus groups, community groups, parents and interpreting surveys sent out this year.
While specific areas for the money to be spent have not yet been formally identified, Hendricks says the committee will take recommendations from the report and focus their efforts on the most urgent needs first.
The Coast's Success By 6 program and fundraising initiative was launched April 9 during the pre-kindergarten fair at Chatelech Secondary School.
The crowd was enthusiastic about the initiative and committee members are hopeful the community will support this worthwhile initiative.
"We don't have much in the account yet because we just launched. Hopefully in a month there will be something to work with," Hendricks said.
If you would like to donate to the program, you can drop off your donation at any credit union on the Coast. Credit union members can donate online at www.sunshineccu.com.
The community services office in Sechelt is also taking donations by credit card over the phone or in person. Phone them at 604-885-5881 or drop by their office at 5638 Inlet Avenue.
You can also find out more about Success By 6 at the credit union's website www.sunshineccu.com.
