News Release

Government of Canada to fund project to engage Vancouver-area immigrant women

Vancouver, July 13, 2010 A Vancouver-area project funded by the Government of Canada will help female newcomers to Canada better understand and more fully engage in Canadian society. Today, John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, announced funding for Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) Canada for their Practicing Citizenship project. .

"Giving newcomers the tools to fully participate in Canadian society is something that will serve all Canadians in the long-run," MP Weston said. "With today's announcement, we are acting to help new and established Canadians succeed together in building a strong, integrated society."

CIC's contribution helped to establish Practicing Citizenship, a project that aims to increase the participation of ethno-cultural minority women in Canadian society. Through classes on Canadian history and democracy, practical experiences in the community, mentoring and literacy training, approximately 50 female newcomers to Canada will gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to become fully engaged in the community.

"Over time, our organization has encountered many new Canadian women who felt isolated and unable to integrate," said Debbie Bell, Executive Director of HIPPY Canada. "With those women in mind, HIPPY Canada partnered with MOSAIC and the Multicultural Helping House Society to develop the Practicing Citizenship program. We welcome the government s support for this important initiative."

Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Multiculturalism Program supports projects that promote intercultural understanding and equal opportunity for people of all cultures and faiths. For more information, please visit CIC's website.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada.

For further information (media only), please contact:
Celyeste Power Minister s Office Citizenship and Immigration Canada<
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca




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.

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.












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






HIPPY GREETING CARDS
Share smiles. Send happy HIPPY cards ... and help children and families.
For an order form please click here.





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









(Anonymous donor)