Even those who strive to help others, need a little help themselves.
Thanks to the help of the RBC Royal Bank of Canada in Salmon Arm, which donated $20,000, the Coyote Cafe will not only be back in full swing neat year, but will be expanding its reach to help even more.
The Coyote Cafe began this year as a pilot program, designed to help aboriginal children from grades two to five who have trouble reading.
Despite being in its first year, the program was well received and is already wait-listed for next year.
The money donated by the RBC will not only help improve the program, but also expand it to include other schools in the area.
Ultimately the group would like see all the schools have the program; however this requires funding.
This year’s program is scheduled to start in October, after students are settled in their classes.
Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society and the Aboriginal Education Council designed a program in which 12 students from South Broadview, Bastion and Hillcrest elementaries, gathered in the learning resource room at South Broadview every Tuesday and Thursday from October until May.
The students took part in short reading lessons, read allowed picture books, were given chances to read independently, made crafts and had one-on-one lessons with staff.
Each student also received a healthy snack.
Other activities included trips to the local thrift store to buy books, giving the students a chance to start their own library.
Some of the changes envisioned include running both primary and intermediate programs, purchasing a reading assessment kit, and developing a home reading program.