Centre targets vulnerable Strathcona kids: UBC researchers note neighbourhood's crime, violence
Vancouver Courier
October 29, 2010
By Sandra Thomas

According to research completed by the University of B.C.'s Human Early Learning Partnership, 66 per cent of Strathcona children live in a hostile environment with daily exposure to criminal activity, homelessness, drug abuse, domestic violence and social disorder.

As well, that same percentage of children from the Strathcona-area near the Downtown Eastside are vulnerable to drop out of school before graduation, consistently fail to achieve the economic security of their peers, fail to meet crucial developmental milestones, lack access to primary health care and face food insecurity.

But that should all change with the help of the Hastings Street Early Learning and Enrichment Centre in the heart of the Downtown Eastside, said Kate Hodgson, executive director of the Network of Inner City Community Services Society (NICCS), a network of many inner-city services and organizations.

"It's disturbing how poorly children are doing across the province," said Hodgson. "But as an organization we have the opportunity to make a difference."

The centre, which opened Wednesday at 881 East Hastings St., is part of a "place-based" strategy. Placed-based learning takes into account the community children are growing up in and often involves getting students and teachers working to solve neighbourhood problems together.

The new centre provides access to a weekly licensed pre-school learning centre for 100-plus children, parent training, employment support and resources, and enrichment programs to address safety, health and well-being of inner city families. Hodgson noted the new centre was made a reality without any government funding. Instead, donations of cash and in-kind support came from many private and corporate donors, including Concert Properties, Concord Pacific, Habitat for Humanity, the Steve Nash Foundation, the Vancouver Canucks and inner-city parents. The centre is a joint project with NICCSS, Ray Cam Cooperative Centre and Strathcona Community Centre….

Hodgson explained the new centre is part of an initiative modelled after the Harlem Children's Zone, which seeks to eradicate poverty though education.….

Vision Vancouver school board trustee Sharon Gregson said it's not just Strathcona that's struggling with early childhood education.

"This fourth wave of EDI testing shows the situation for children in this province is getting worse," said Gregson.

Gregson said school districts across the province could help more if Victoria would agree to shift all childcare and early learning services from the provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development to the Ministry of Education. She notes there's a huge discrepancy in funding and the way services are delivered between kindergarten to Grade 12, and early learning.

"That would mean much healthier EDI scores and make an immediate difference," said Gregson.