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Over one million Canadian children are at risk of NOT being prepared for kindergarten because their families struggle with conditions of poverty and low levels of literacy.

The HIPPY childhood development program addresses the diverse needs of these families to maximize the educational potential of their pre-school children.

HIPPY Canada is about helping parents learn how easy, fun and rewarding it is to teach their children at home.

It's about spending 15 minutes a day with a storybook, puzzle or learning game.

It's about children who enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

It's about improving parents' attitudes towards education and their own self-image.

It's about strengthening communities.

It's about a better Canada.

HIPPY Canada Video


The HIPPY Canada Mothers Matter Series

Beatrice's Story



Robin: Her road to becoming a community leader.

In 2009, Robin Green was elected to the band council of the Katzie First Nation in Pitt Meadows, where she is responsible for the Education and Health portfolio. If you had told Robin this a few years ago, she might not have believed you.

Growing up, she had few books to read. Her mom left school in grade 7, with low literacy skills and negative associations with education. This meant that Robin had no help with homework and certainly no encouragement to reach for the “As” on her report card. Her mother didn’t know how to help her. When Robin was 16, she dropped out of high school. When she was 19, her first baby, a beautiful little girl, was born. Fourteen months later, she gave birth to her son. It was at this point that life started to change for Robin. She decided to go back to school and the HIPPY program was introduced on the Katzie First Nation. A young mom wanting to break a negative cycle, Robin jumped at the chance to become a HIPPY home visitor.

Through the opportunity, her children experienced HIPPY. “We read books every day and did the activities together. It was such an enjoyable time for us. The change was almost immediate. Vocabulary was boosted and confidence went up,” says Robin. Her children are now 11 and 12. There are “As” on their report cards. And Robin is working full time as a HIPPY coordinator. Robin’s experience is not the exception. While everyone’s story is different, HIPPY consistently provides a real solution for Canada’s low-income and socially excluded families.

GIVING: How Each of Us Can Change the World

Bill Clinton
"I wish there were HIPPY programs in every community with a significant number of single mothers or poor, undereducated parents. Anyone who has ever been to a HIPPY graduation ceremony and seen the pride and self-confidence of both parents and children would agree. Even if you are not a parent of a preschool aged child, you can take the lead in bringing HIPPY to your home town, volunteer to be a home visitor, or support them with money or other services." (Clinton: 2007, p. 73)


Debbie Bell, executive director HIPPY Canada, Miriam Chandia, Britannia home visitor and Robin Green, Aboriginal Consortium coordinator meet Bill Clinton on November 1, 2007 in Vancouver, BC.









Patron

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D
Governor General of Canada




HIPPY Canada gratefully acknowledges our funders and donors for their generous support.









(Anonymous donor)

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Donate to HIPPY

It is through the generosity and support of organizations and individuals that we are able to provide this valuable service to more and more families in need.

For a donation form please click here, or donate online

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Faire un don maintenant par CanadaHelps.org!


HIPPY Events

September 19, 2012, Royal York Hotel, Toronoto, ON
3rd Annual Aboriginal HIPPY Canada Gala Honoring Phil Fontaine
For more information please e-mail: tharkey@hippycanada.ca.

HIPPY News

HIPPY Canada is delighted that His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, has accepted to become Patron of HIPPY Canada.

HIPPY Canada has partnered with TVO to prodcue a series of How-To Videos - available in 9 languages - to help parents teach their pre-school childen about language, math, and science.

The Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism supports HIPPY at our gala dinner, March 29, 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel Toronto


HIPPY Canada Board

The following Officers have been elected for the 2011-2012 term:

Maureen Boyd - Secretary
Tim Casgrain - Chair
Ann Cowan - Treasurer
Sheldon Ehrenworth
Henry Green
Stephen Herbert - Vice Chair
Kelly J. Lendsay
Sandy Martin
Laara Mixon
Judith Moses - Past Chair
Jacquelyn Scott
Richard Stursberg
Miriam Westheimer - Ex-officio

HIPPY Canada Honorary Board

Carol Slater, Chair


HIPPY Canada
Charitable Tax Number

863188538 RR0001