Thanks to $7,000 of support from Children’s Aid Foundation and the RBC New Beginnings: National Diversity Fund for Children, Langley Community Services Society has provided many experiences for Early Years Refugees Project participants.
Families have taken in shows such as Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna and Royal City Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker. They have also attended attractions such as Science World, the Honey Bee Centre, Aldor Acres, Langley Centennial Museum and the Vancouver Aquarium.
Children have also taken part in various City activities such as ballet, taekwondo and gymnastics.
The project provides early childhood development support and settlement services to refugee families in both Langleys.
A modified early learning centre hosts parents/caregivers and their children aged newborn to six, providing stories, songs, and crafts. The environment gives opportunities for families to build a network with other families, reinforces language acquisition, and facilitates adjusting to the Canadian context. Classes focus on food preparation, food safety, healthy eating, orientation to kitchen appliances/equipment and participants are also supported on shopping trips.
The Children’s Aid Foundation is a national organization committed to improving the lives of Canada’s most vulnerable children and youth. Their focus is to help young Canadians who are receiving services from organizations in the child welfare system. Since 1999, they have operated within a national scope funding 59 programs in 33 communities located in all 10 provinces and two territories, including Nunavut and Northwest Territories. The Foundation has raised over $100 million over the last 30 years, and has disbursed these funds to help more than 1 million children and youth in need.
Langley Community Services Society delivers and provides access to counselling, support and education on all aspects of individual and family living designed to enhance the quality of life for community members in the Langleys.