)Jane Fulton <jfulton@ontarioreads.ca>
September 22, 2011
11:50 a.m. (8 hours ago)
Hi, Hina.
Thanks so much for your detailed notes. We are so happy that attendance is increasing at the new Rouge Hill Public School centre. These numbers are crucial since our funding depends on solid statistics. Having these forms truly helps our marketing and development officer get those dollars put toward each centre!
May I suggest you take some time to flyer the neighbourhood around the centre as part of the outreach to get those numbers even higher? This strategy has worked well in our downtown Toronto locations, and given the vastness of the geography of the suburbs, I imagine this kind of outreach would be even more effective in Scarborough.
I want to give you a word of caution about making food the main draw for families. We know you are located in a low-income neighbourhood, and I want to assure you that the resources are there to feed these community members elsewhere. That’s why we provide small portions of snacks, but the serving of a formal breakfast sends the wrong message. The focus of the centres is to encourage healthy parenting and literacy. So while food is included in our programming, the purpose is school readiness, since sharing food will be a part of the daily life of a student. The centre is not, however, a soup kitchen.
If you need clarification, please let me know.
Take care and great work!
Jane Fulton, MSW
Supervisor, Ontario Reads Program
Reading is a way for me to expand my mind, open my eyes, and fill up my heart.
—Oprah Winfrey
September 22, 2011
1:15 a.m. (6 hours ago)
To Jane Fulton <jfulton@ontarioreads.ca>
Hello, Jane:
Thanks for your feedback. Are other facilitators across the province doing the same flyering you are suggesting? Also, I am wondering if this time doing “outreach” will be included in my paid work schedule or if this will be paid outside of my schedule on an hourly basis? Please advise. I know community-building is part of my job description, but off-site activity was not part of my contract.
Re: serving food at the centre. If there were thirty attendees throughout the day who also happened to be present for snack time, would it look any different than thirty children who are fed in the morning before school, using the same supplies we would use for snacks? And know that this is far from a “formal breakfast.” I’m just substituting cheese and crackers with more oatmeal and yogurts, for example. I’m not trying to be adversarial; however, I do feel the centre is being used appropriately, since servings of breakfast seem to be needed in this neighbourhood.
I would love to discuss this with you further. Are you available to drop by during our centre hours sometime next week? Sincerely,
Hina Hassani, Facilitator
Ontario Reads Program, Rouge Hill Public School
Jane Fulton <jfulton@ontarioreads.ca> September 22, 2011
2:30 p.m. (5 hours ago)
Hi, Hina.
We can most definitely discuss this. But since our main office is located downtown, perhaps we can do so at your next performance review, in November. (In the meantime, I would love your thoughts on where you can flyer. There are so many opportunities for connection that I don’t want you to miss. )
I assure you that the centres were designed after years of trial and error. We pride ourselves on solid relationship-building with communities, and I tell you now that dangling food in front of hungry people is not what draws parents back to your site. They love having a warm cup of coffee in the morning while their kids enjoy circle time. They love watching their children run around during gym. We are trying to cultivate the next generation of good parents, not just full tummies. I know your sentiments, and I have felt them too. Trust me.
As for flyering, I am sure it won’t take too much time between your leaving work and dropping them off at a few apartment buildings. That Native Child and Family Services place is also right around the corner, don’t forget!
Again, great work. I am so pleased to have a worker with their wheels turning! Cheers!
Jane Fulton, MSW
Supervisor, Ontario Reads Program
Reading is a way for me to expand my mind, open my eyes, and fill up my heart.
—Oprah Winfrey