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Kids Can Fly

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Kids Can Fly is a registered charity based in Brant County. The organization specializes in supporting early learning and parenting, focusing on children age six and under. Other than annual funding provided by the United Way, Kids Can Fly raises its own money through fundraising, grants, and donations in order to provide programming and services for the community.[1] The organization is run by a board of local volunteers.

Mission

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"Kids Can Fly will act as a catalyst for positive change in the promotion of early childhood development in Brant. It will focus its activities on being an advocate for children from prenatal to 6 years and parenting.  In addition, it will seek to ensure early learning and growth opportunities, to support ALL children in our community."[1]

History

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Early Research

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Kids Can Fly is based on the early childhood research of Dr. Fraser Mustard. In 1998, an Early Years Study was commissioned by Ontario Premier Mike Harris.[2] The "Early Years Study: Reversing the real brain drain," written by Mustard and co-author Margaret McCain, was published in 1999. Mustard suggested that a child's earliest experiences would shape their lives, determining their future health, learning, and ultimate well-being.[3] It is important, according to Mustard's research, to invest in a child's first six years when their brains are only "20% wired."[3] The study called for an increase in programs and funding for parents and childcare.[1][3][4]

Timeline[1][5]

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2001: Founded by the provincial government as an early years review committee

2003: Received charitable status

2007: Co-ordinated pilot program Seeds of Empathy

2007: Awarded the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Great Grant for the best Human Services Grant during the Foundation’s first twenty-five years

2008: Became a member of the Brant United Way

2009: Joined with the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise to introduce the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Brant County

2011: Celebrated 10th anniversary

Current Members[6]

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Board Members

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  • Chair – Wayne Branchaud
  • Vice Chair – Heather Barker
  • Treasurer – Terry Adkins
  • Secretary – Shannon Kingsbury
  • Members – Melissa Ferrao, Joe Persia, Kathy Kemp, Darlene D'Souza, Heather Wilson, and Michelle Falkiner

Staff

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  • Executive Director – Sharon Brooks
  • Launch Pad and Parachute Program – Jane Flinders
  • Imagination Library Coordinator – Jeanne Smitiuch
  • Director of Fund Development – Angee Turnbull

Programs and Events

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The Launch Pad

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The Launch Pad is a free parent-child event hosted by Kids Can Fly since 2008.[7] The program provides a space for children to learn through play and socialization. Some activities offered include arts and crafts, dress-up, puzzles, reading, and gym time.

The Parachute Program

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The Parachute Program is geared towards mothers with babies younger than one year old, and it provides new parents with a place to share their challenges and experiences, particularly with postpartum depression.[8][9]

Imagination Library

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Dolly Parton created the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 1995.[10] Her goal was to spread the love of reading to preschool children in her home county of Tenessee by providing them high-quality, age-appropriate books.[10] In 2000, she decided to extend the program to other communities around the world.[10] Over 60 million books have been mailed, and over 1,600 communities and 750,000 children have participated in the initiative.[10]

Kids Can Fly introduced the program to Brant in 2009. The organization provides children up to age five with one free book each month.[11] In 2014, 860 local children were enrolled in Imagination Library and more than 230 children had graduated from the program.[12]

Roots of Empathy

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Roots of Empathy was developed by Mary Gordon in Canada in 1996. The program seeks to alleviate and prevent bullying by teaching young children how to recognize emotion and empathize with others. In practice, an infant and parent visit an elementary school classroom every three weeks during the school year. A trained Roots of Empathy coach teaches the children how to observe the baby's growth and identify the baby's emotions.[13] Research has shown an 88% reduction of aggression in participants and an increase in sociable behaviour.[14]

In 2003, Kids Can Fly introduced the program to Brant County with seven classes, a number that has since risen to fifty-five.[14] Nearly 800,000 children across the world have experienced Roots of Empathy.[15]

Seeds of Empathy

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Seeds of Empathy is a program similar to Roots of Empathy that runs in preschools. Kids Can Fly first piloted the program, and it now operates on a limited basis through Ontario and a few other provinces.

ECE Awards Program

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Since 2003, Kids Can Fly has hosted an annual banquet in order to celebrate the achievements of Early Childhood Educators and other early learning professionals. The social event recognizes the efforts of those who have made an impact in the community through awards and through pins marking twenty and thirty years in the field. Criteria for many of the awards centers around active community involvement, making a significant difference through daily contributions, and demonstration of enthusiasm, commitment, professional image, and compassion.[16]

Storybook Breakfast

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Storybook Breakfast is an annual event that strives to encourage literacy. Authors and volunteers dressed in storybook character costumes meet with children, take pictures, and sign autographs.[17] In recent years, some popular costumes have included classics like Peter Pan and Cinderella, and newer characters such as Elsa and Olaf from Frozen.[18]

Midnight Movie Marathon

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The Midnight Movie Marathon is an annual fundraiser hosted by Kids Can Fly and Galaxy Cinemas in Brantford. During the overnight event, the movie theatre plays five films and offers unlimited popcorn, drinks, and arcade games.[19]

Past Community Initiatives[5]

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  • Cradling Literacy – literacy workshop for professionals[20]
  • The Young Authors Project (2011) – writing and publishing workshop for students, introduced by Kids Can Fly, the Brant Public Library, and The Brantford Expositor[21]
  • Bridging the Gap Task Force (2010)
  • Book Camp (past) – summer writing workshop for students with special author guests[22]
  • Placement programs for university and college students

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "About Us". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  2. ^ "Early Years Study: Reversing the real brain drain | Child care Canada". www.childcarecanada.org. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  3. ^ a b c "Dr. Fraser Mustard Day". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  4. ^ Rushowy, Kristin (2011-11-17). "Dr. Fraser Mustard was on a relentless crusade to better the lives of children and he convinced governments to invest in supports for families". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  5. ^ a b Ruby. "Children's advocacy group has come a long way". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  6. ^ "Board and Staff". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  7. ^ "The Launch Pad". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  8. ^ "The Parachute Program". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  9. ^ Ruby. "No bundle of joy". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  10. ^ a b c d "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - USA, UK, CA, AU". imaginationlibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  11. ^ "Imagination Library". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  12. ^ Ruby. "Get Books from Birth". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  13. ^ "About Our Program". www.rootsofempathy.org. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  14. ^ a b "Roots of Empathy". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  15. ^ "Welcome to Roots of Empathy". www.rootsofempathy.org. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  16. ^ "Annual ECE Awards Banquet Information 2015". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  17. ^ Ruby. "Sponsors, volunteers sought for annual event". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  18. ^ Ruby. "Sponsors, volunteers sought for annual event". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  19. ^ "Midnight Movie Marathon – April 8th!". Kids Can Fly. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  20. ^ "Early Language and Literacy - ZERO TO THREE". main.zerotothree.org. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  21. ^ "Twenty students attend first Young Authors Proj..." Paris Star. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  22. ^ Ruby. "Kids' book camp set for sixth edition". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
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