A new early learning space opened within Hazen White-St. Francis school in September. Image: YMCA
The Saint John Regional Y has a new early learning space in the north end to help children battle generational poverty.
A total of 263 children in this neighbourhood has been identified who will need support over the next four years.
Executive director Shilo Boucher said the Early Childhood Hub was established at Hazen White-St. Francis School in September.
“It’s to provide children between the ages of two and five with the supports they need to be really successful as they get ready to enter kindergarten and to support the families as well so they have a better relationship with schools,” Boucher said
The Early Childhood Hub features a fully licensed child care facility and free community programs such as parenting classes and playgroups.
Eight people have been hired so far for the facility.
Funding has been provided by the Social Innovation Fund who contributed $300,000 to the Y for the new Hub.
The fund is administered by the Greater Saint John Community Foundation in partnership with the Government of New Brunswick.
The Regional Development Corporation invested $10-million to establish the fund in 2017 to “support innovative projects that would contribute to reducing poverty in Saint John by targeting educational, health and employment barriers that disproportionally impact systematically marginalized and excluded people and communities”.
Hazen White/St. Francis principal Megan Donovan said she’s already seen a huge impact since the hub opened a few months ago calling it game-changer for students, staff and families.
“We are able to connect with future students and families, ensuring a smooth transition to school for all…Teachers report that children who have attended these programs transform into confident students who have mastered the basic developmental skills making them ready to learn. Parents are comfortable and committed and are fully engaged in our school community, participating monthly in our side-by-side celebrations of learning,” Donovan said.
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