I Have the Right to be a Child

Throughout the month of May children in Campbell River and Area are being asked at different centres, programs and classrooms across the community; What does a child need to be happy?  What does a child need to feel safe?  and What does a child need to have to be healthy and to grow?

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Children in Campbell River are learning what it means to have "rights".  Children in Campbell River are being heard as we continue to gather their voices for the Children's Charter.  Children in Campbell River have been describing what it means to have rights - from food, to "proper housing", to feel loved.

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Contact Cheryl crsuccessby6@gmail.com for further information, or if you would like to participate in the development of the Children's Charter.

Progress of the CR Children's Charter

 “Children and youth are our most precious resource. They are the life and future of our society.  Every child deserves to be loved, nurtured and given the care they need to grow up healthy in all ways: emotionally, spiritually and physically.” ~ Barbara Fitzgerald M.D. FRCP(C) Clinical Associate Professor, UBC, Developmental Pediatrician

A strong community, vibrant and healthy, is a community that recognizes the fundamental right of all its citizens to a quality of life that guarantees safety, and the reasonable expectation of health and happiness.  Campbell River has turned its attention to this goal by adopting a Charter of Rights for Seniors and a Charter of Rights for Youth.  Now we are asking children to help us define what it is that they need to be safe, to be happy, and to be healthy and grow.  With their help we propose to add a Children's Charter of Rights to the City of Campbell River.

Children as young as three are being consulted.  When presented with the silhouette of a baby, young children have been asked what they think this baby needs to be safe, to be happy, and to be healthy and grow.  Many of the answers have been both simple and profound. Babies need "their Mummies" and "families to love them". These things keep them safe and make them happy.  They need "help crossing the road, not with a little or bigger brother, . . . Well, maybe a teenager".  They need toys, and to be healthy they need "the special milk with the yellow lid" and "clean diapers".

When shown the silhouette of an older child, they have been asked if these children need anything different than the babies.  "Still to be with their Mum!” was a common response.

Slightly older children had insightful answers. "Proper housing", "good food", "a family to love", "a good fire department and locks", "clean water", "no pollution", "exercise", and "fruits, vegetables, meat and milk" were a few of their responses.  Play has been a common theme.

The thoughts of our children are confirming the declaration of the United Nations' Rights of the Child.  Our children will guide our own declaration of what we are committed to providing children who live in our community.

Contact crsuccessby6@gmail.com if you would like more information on the development of the charter, or would like to get involved.

Children’s Charter Action Committee, Campbell River Children’s Charter:  Project Timeline March – November 2015

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Sobering statistics paint child welfare in unflattering light - Campbell River Mirror

Sobering statistics paint child welfare in unflattering light - Campbell River Mirror

Time to Celebrate

Many forces are at work making Campbell River a community that values and nurtures its families, particularly families with young children.

In a recent survey of these families many examples of family friendly businesses and services that support healthy childhoods in our city were named.

Other contributions are recognized by those working behind the scenes.

We are grateful to all of our Early Years Heroes!

Businesses

Thrifty Foods                                                  “The Lady” at Save on Foods
Walmart, “especially Rhonda”                Superstore
Boston Pizza                                                   Quality Foods
Eco Booty                                                       Kidlets
Cuddles                                                          Coho Books                                         
McDonalds                                                    Serious Coffee
VI Fitness                                                        Coastal EyeCare
Home Depot                                                 Bikram Yoga
Tremain Media                                             Healthy Way
Stereo Fitness                                                MVP
Shoppers Drug Mart                                   B.C. Ferries
Starbucks                                                      Chan Nowosad Boates
Banners Restaurant                                   Miki’s Sushi
First Choice Hair Cutters                           New 2 U Consignment
Wise Owl                                                        Kotos
Sharkare                                                        Rickis
Royal Coachman                                       Iris
Ocean Pacific

Programs and Services

Sch. Dist. 72; Strong Start and SD72 Aboriginal Liaisons
Laichwiltach Family Life Society
Quinsam Baby Group                   
KDC Programs
Sunrise Resources for Early Childhood Development (special       
              mention – Gayle Maclean)
Campbell River Family Services Society (Baby’s Best Chance,  
                                                                      Family Place, . . .)
the Library
Baby Yoga and Stroller Fit (Dawn Pomponio)
Strathcona Gardens (special mention – leisure pool and skate and            
                                                                     read)
City of Campbell River (special mention – Life Program, Family                                              Gym (Uschi), Family Place, Teen Family Night, transit free under 6)

Join us on Monday November 19 to find out who this year's Early Year's Heroes will be.  Keynote speaker, David Sheftel from BC Council for Families.

RSVP crsuccessby6@gmail.com

 

The Path to Prosperity: The Father Factor

Fathers play an essential role in children's lives, and that promoting positive fathering is a key element in building healthy families and communities. Explore innovative ways to support fathers in the workplace.

"The Path to Prosperity: The Father Factor" lunch and learn event sponsored by Success By 6, speaker David Sheftel from BC Council for Families will join us. Monday November 19, 2012 @ 11:30 - 1:00 at the Community Centre.

Success By 6 will also be recognizing individuals and businesses that were identified by the Community that support children and family.
RSVP by Monday November 12.

Success By 6 Family Friendly Gym Challenge

• Recent UBC studies show 1 in 3 Campbell River children is not ready to succeed in school by age 6
• Local data shows 16 % of our children are vulnerable in Physical Health and Well Being (eg. motor development, establish handedness)

Bikram Yoga Campbell River and Stereo Fitness both heard the message and took on the Family Friendly Gym challenge organized by Success By 6. Research shows that the vulnerability rate in the physical and health domain is on the rise in children in Campbell River and Success By 6 is working on decreasing it.  Over the past year we have been sponsoring free family swims in partnership with Strathcona Gardens and sponsor the Family Gym on Friday mornings at the Sportsplex.

• Data indicates that children who watch more than 2 hours of screen time (TV, computer, video games) per day have double the incidence of over-weight and obesity when compared to children who watch less than 1 hour per day
• Research indicates that children’s early experiences have far reaching and lifelong effects on the development of their brains and behavior

A HUGE Thank you to Stereo Fitness for a very successful fundraiser for Success By 6 on Saturday November 3.  Approximately $600 was raised and earlier in October Bikram Yoga Campbell River raised $210 through their drop-in yoga morning and a lemonade stand.  All funds will go towards free healthy early learning programs in Campbell River for the children in our community.

Thank you both for participating in the Family Friendly Gym Challenge and helping to raise funds for children in our community. It takes a community to raise a child.

Photos courtesy of Parks and Recreation, City of Campbell River

Campbell River Families

Check out the latest edition of Campbell River Families in today’s Campbell River Mirror....great resource for parents, online edition pg 32 – 44, check it out here.

What was Success By 6 up to during 2011 - 2012

Beyond Books: The Power of Literacy

My second son has never shown the interest in books and reading that my first did, so until now, I never had to consider the depths of literacy really. With a first-born who was drinking in language and all things wordy since toddlerhood, and grew to be an avid novel reader by age 8, I was blissfully content in my role in supporting literacy development. He was able to use books to satisfy his thirst for learning about topics he was interested in, which motivated his reading. I felt like I must have done something right! Then came my second son. In toddlerhood he chewed, threw and built with books instead of looking and listening to them. At 7 he mumbles through reading after giving many excuses why he can’t do it. Did I do something wrong? It really doesn’t come down to that, I’ve decided, literacy goes beyond books. I look at reading and writing as a tool for information transfer. When you find out how to make it work for you, you use it more often and become more efficient, like my eldest was able to discover at a young age. When the day came that my younger son asked for piano lessons, mildly concerned about the complexity of note reading and practice and the teachers question about his reading level, we signed tentatively him up. Interestingly, he has been excelling- going beyond expectations, practicing independently and much more frequently than needed, it seems he has found his thirst in music. Although not his favourite or at a remarkable level, reading daily at his comfort level has proven to bring success in literacy, just in an unexpected way.

Rhonda Teramura, Mom of Three and ECE

TEDDY BEAR STORYTIME SLEEPOVER

Teddy bears are family too, so “Henrietta” the Campbell River Library hippo would like to invite all book-loving teddy bears to celebrate Family Literacy Week by attending a Teddy Bear Storytime Sleepover at the library on Jan. 25.

Bears and other stuffed animals may bring their favourite humans to the library on Wednesday Jan. 25 between 10 am and 8 pm. Bears and humans may select a book from the library’s collection for the bear to enjoy during the storytime, then the humans go home and the fun begins!

Bears will be photographed listening to their favourite stories and tucked into bed for the night, and can be picked up by their faithful humans on Thursday Jan. 26.

On Family Literacy Day, January 27, photos of all the fun will be ready for pickup at the library for bears and humans to keep and enjoy. The Campbell River branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library would like to thank its co-sponsor Photo Tech for providing the photography and printing the photos.

“Family Literacy Day provides a moment for Canadians to come together in their homes, at work, and in their communities to practice literacy-building activities and to have fun,” says Elaine Julian, Customer Services Librarian. “Learning happens everywhere, and it’s easy to make it part of your daily life.”

The library is also offering a “Passport to VIRL Libraries” contest and everyone is invited to drop by their local library, pick up a copy of the passport, and complete as many activities as possible. The passport can be completed as a family, as an individual or as a group. When you have checked off at least 5 activities, enter the passport at your local branch by closing time on Saturday January 28 for a chance to win a Robert Munsch book.

The Vancouver Island Regional Library at 1240 Shoppers Row will also be the hub of an exciting array of community activities on Family Literacy Day January 27 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm. Additional attractions at the library will include free used books and the Willow Point Jugglers, so be sure to include the library on your “Learning Journey”.

For more information about the Vancouver Island Regional Library visit www.virl.bc.ca or phone 250-287-3655. Visit http://abclifeliteracy.ca/family-literacy-day for information about the Canada-wide celebration of Family Literacy Day.

Is your business child and family friendly?

Coastal Eyecare was thrilled to receive the 2010 Family Friendly Business of the Year for 2010. Since that time we have been asked questions such as, “How did you create a Family Friendly business” and “What can I do to make sure my business is Family Friendly?” I realized that many businesses are unclear as to what makes a business Family Friendly. After being asked these questions many times, I thought it made sense to make it clear, because this is so critical to our community and its future. In the words of Mr. Charlie Coffey, “Whether you are a big business or small, children are everybody’s business”.

Employee Policies and Programs	Atmosphere	Customers and Clients	Community Involvement
Flexibility · flex time · job sharing · paid time off · banked time • break time for employees to manage family obligations	Accessibility · easy access for strollers including ramps, automatic doors and door holders · adequate and safe parking · parking spots designated for customers with small children	Marketing • consider the needs of local families in your business plan and marketing efforts	Support local children’s programs · Do you or your staff volunteer with local children’s programs - on a board of directors or during fundraising efforts? • Financial and in-kind donations to local programs
Advocate · be aware and support government polices that support parents of young children • learn about national, provincial and municipal policies re: child care, employment standards and parental benefits.	Physical Amenities · quiet space for children to rest · breastfeeding friendly · washroom suitable and available for small children • change tables for infants		Customer Service • encourage staff to acknowledge children in a welcoming, friendly manner • hiring practices and policies that reflect values • do your customers report feeling respected and welcomed in your business? • provide opportunities for customer feedback
Benefits • do your employees understand and use benefits such as parental sick leave, additional maternity leave and progressive returns after maternity leave?	Play Space • safe, designated play area for small children • stocked with clean, safe and cared for materials • booster seats, high chairs, small play furniture

 

Top 10 reasons to have a Family Friendly business…

1. Get the best from your employees with a flexible workplace that enables employees to take care of their family AND get their work done.
2. Attract and retain good employees in times of skill shortage. Employees value employers who support their needs as parents.
3. Avoid the cost to business in lost time due to work absences.
4. Customers with children will feel more comfortable in family friendly environments.
5. Happy customers mean customer loyalty.
6. Customers loyalty means more sales.
7. Giving children a healthy start contributes to a future productive workforce as baby boomers retire over the next 20 years.
8. More children better prepared to succeed in life will mean thriving, prosperous communities.
9. Positive early experiences help to prevent future (expensive) problems in the community such as crime, health care, and remedial education.
10. You could win a Child & Family Friendly Business Excellence Award.


Unsure if your business is family friendly, Contact us

It takes a community to raise a child.