UNITED WAY OTTAWA

GETTING RESULTS THAT CHANGE LIVES

GUG0913
SCHOOL READINESS
A GOOD START IN LIFE
In 2012, nearly 12% of children entering senior kindergarten in
Ottawa scored low on two or more measures of school readiness.
In some Ottawa neighbourhoods up to 40% of children start school
without the basic skills they need to set them on the path for success
in school and life.
$477,344 of your dollars were invested in 8 front-line programs.
In one program, results show that there was a dramatic increase in
positive interaction between mother and child from the participants.
This is vitally important to helping children develop the skills they
need to start school ready to learn.
Together, we directly helped more than 7,600 children and their
families in Ottawa. At-risk parents beneted from early learning
sessions, parenting skills training and help in getting programs and
services needed to help their children get ready to learn.
RESULTS
INVESTMENT
Help more children enter school ready to learn.
OUR GOAL
ISSUE
7,600
HOURS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
A SAFE PLACE TO GO TO LEARN, PLAY AND GROW
1 in 5 children in Ottawa live in poverty. Many in high-risk neigh-
bourhoods dont have access to after-school homework support,
recreational or social programs that keep them off the streets, and
reduce involvement in crime or drugs.
Youth in high-risk neighbourhoods are more likely to drop out of
school (22% vs. city average of 15%). They will have challenges
nding employment and improving their situation over time.
RESULTS
More at-risk children and youth are on track to succeed in school.
INVESTMENT
OUR GOAL
$1,787,770 of your dollars were invested in 23 front-line programs.
More than 9,100 children, youth and their families participated in
social recreation, homework support, mentoring and leadership
development activities.
Of the 1,210 children and youth in one homework club, 61% said the
club helped them complete their school work, 66% reported doing
better in school and 81% indicated that they plan to get a
post-secondary education.
ISSUE
indicated that
they plan to get
a post-secondary
education.
81%
GROWING UP GREAT
EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE CHANCE TO BE THEIR BEST
Read more stories about the results from our
73 partners at unitedwayottawa.ca/results
UNITED WAY OTTAWA unitedwayottawa.ca
DOMINIQUES STORY
Through the help of United Way Ottawa and one of its priority goal
partners, Youville Centre, Dominique is creating a brighter future
for herself and her children. An at-risk young mother at age 17,
Dominique needed to get off the streets and change her life. At
Youville Centre, she got the help she needed to become a better
parent through programs that give parents an understanding of their
child, their relationship with them and their effect on their childs
mental and emotional health. Results show that there is a dramatic
increase in positive interaction between mother and child from
participants in this program which is vital to helping their children
develop the skills they need to start school ready to learn.
And for herself? Dominique returned to school and received her
high school diploma.
KATINNGAVUGUT/WE BELONG
Over a one-year period, more than 80 Inuit youth were engaged in
after-school activities that focused on cultural, social and physical
competency and school engagement. Run by the Ottawa Inuit Childrens
Centre, the programs priority is getting youth on the path for success in
school and life. Unique to the program is developing cultural
competency. Research shows that Aboriginal youth who feel connected to
their culture are better able to develop bi-cultural competence and are
more successful. Results from this innovative programming show that
87% of youth reported an increased connection to their Inuit culture,
heritage and identity.
Every day at the Centre we see the success of our programming. Not
only are we connecting youth to their Inuit culture, heritage and identity
but we are also increasing self-esteem, condence and social
competency. In terms of results we are seeing the children become more
interested in school and more than 75% have improved their grades
which is helping put them on the path to a good life.
Karen Baker-Anderson, Executive Director, Ottawa Inuit Childrens Centre
SCHOOL READINESS
Children, aged 3-5, who participated in a play-based skills
development program increased their development by a full year in
language and other core skills through just six weeks of programming.
RESULTS
WEEKS
6

DEVELOPMENT
1YEAR
(continued)
In one program, 756 children living in poverty received access to
sports, arts and recreation programs that are proven to help them
grow up to be their best.
RESULTS (continued)
HOURS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
756
CHILDREN
ACCESSED