United Way's School Program on Caring Continues to Grow
May. 04, 2010
(Moncton, N.B. – April 30, 2010) – Introducing children to the concept of caring at a young age is an important development in creating future community leaders and volunteers.
A big success in this direction is the United Way’s Matinée scolaire d’entraide (Kids’ Morning of Caring). In only its second year, the program has grown, broadening out to include more classes in more schools in District 1, and to the program being introduced in Oromocto.
Today, more than 65 students in Grade 4 classes at Anna-Malenfant School in Dieppe and Abbey-Landry School in Memramcook spent the morning having fun while learning about the importance of contributing to their community.
“We are immensely pleased with the growth and expansion of this program,” says Paul Toner, Early Childhood, Middle Years and Youth Coordinator for the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region. “Morning of Caring ties in so well with our Youth Day of Caring, which happens in May, and our Day of Caring in June. It’s a perfect continuation of approach and development.”
Today’s activities included writing a postcard to be delivered to someone already a community volunteer, collaborative games and the creation of a community art project. The morning discussion emphasized students’ understanding of the word ‘caring’, how to help and get help, and focused on collaboration and inclusion.
In addition Nicole Landry, representative of the Association pour l’intégration communautaire, a vibrant community agency that received United Way support through a Community Building Grant, made a presentation about that organization at Abbey-Landry. At Anna-Malenfant, Jeannot Ouellette talked about what another active partner and grant recipient of United Way, Maison de Jeunes in Dieppe, does in the community.
Medavie Blue Cross volunteers Anne Gallant and Tania Stote coordinated and led the activities at each school.
“We are very pleased to support this worthwhile initiative to engage our youth in volunteerism,” says Ruth Rappini, Vice-President, Organization Development, at Medavie Blue Cross. “By instilling the importance of giving back to our communities, students will gain a better understanding of how they can make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
The program was facilitated with the encouragement and help of teachers Joanne Cormier at Anna-Malenfant and Françoise Landry and Josée Surette at Abbey-Landry. As a Community School, Abbey-Landry was one of the sites for Day of Caring work in 2009. Community School Coordinator Julie Bélanger was also very active in developing this year’s Morning of Caring.
“We are very pleased to be participating in United Way’s Matinée scolaire d’entraide,” says Bélanger. “Young people are the best ambassadors a municipality can have when it comes to involvement with community inclusion programs.”
On Wednesday, at Arc en Ciel School in Oromocto, Matinée scolaire d’entraide included a presentation by Annette Atkinson, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Matinée scolaire d’entraide began in 2009 through a partnership of the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick and School District 1 with the objective of teaching young students to understand and appreciate the importance of volunteers in our community and caring for others.
For more information, contact Paul Toner, Early/Middle Years/Youth Coordinator, United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region, (506) 858-8600, Ext. 65, “ptoner@moncton.unitedway.ca”mailto:ptoner@moncton.unitedway.ca.