Strong Start Charitable Organization

About Strong Start Charitable Organization

Strong Start Charitable Organization is a registered Canadian charity located in the Oakridge neighbourhood of London, Ontario. This community literacy project serves children from six months to nine years of age, aiming to help them reach their potential by learning to read and developing fundamental early literacy skills. The organization offers three distinct programs designed to be used in various community settings. Letters, Sounds and Words is a 10-week program for Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students who need a literacy boost; it pairs children with trained volunteers who work one-on-one in schools using specific games and activities to teach letter names, sounds, blending, and decoding. Get Ready for School is a 44-class program for preschoolers preparing for Junior Kindergarten, focusing on vocabulary, letter sounds, and classroom behaviors, with a particular focus on children from low to middle-income families or those learning English as an additional language. Additionally, Baby Connections is a free community program where parents and caregivers receive coaching and literacy resources to support brain development and language skills in infants. With over 20 years of experience, Strong Start describes itself as a partnership-based organization that works with schools, community centres, educators, and volunteers. They provide at-home resources for families to support their children's learning and offer volunteer opportunities for those interested in making a difference. The organization's programs are developed in consultation with education and early years fields to ensure they align with the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum and Early Childhood Education best practices. Strong Start is supported by financial donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations, as well as in-kind gifts and the time of hundreds of volunteers.