** HSBC Family Literacy First event brings volunteers and families together for a fun afternoon of reading and games **

 

On June 1, 2015 families from Richmond, BC gathered for a fun-filled afternoon of learning together at the Richmond Cultural Centre! This event, hosted by United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM), brought together families from two non-profit community-based agencies, Touchstone Family Association and Richmond Family Place, for a unique learning experience using a multi-language program, HSBC Family Literacy First.

 

HSBC Family Literacy First is a free program created by ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) and sponsored by HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC) to bring parents and children together to practice their literacy skills. All four modules are available in English, French and Simplified Chinese and include a story and activities. Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and, whether families engage in learning in their first or second language, both the parent and child benefit.

 

The June 1 event involved volunteers from HSBC sharing the stories and facilitating the activities with families. Because volunteers spoke multiple languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, French and English they were able to allow the participants to feel comfortable and connected to literacy. Through the focus of learning together, the children, parents, and grandparents who attended the event were able to build their skills together. Children, and adults alike, enjoyed reading Fisherwoman and Henry and the Giant Pandas and creating paper boats and origami pandas and playing matching games with the volunteers. Rounding off the afternoon was a draw for prizes and refreshments.

 

“We are thrilled that the first HSBC Family Literacy First community event was such a success,” said Gillian Mason, President, ABC Life Literacy Canada. “We know that when families learn together, all the members benefit. ABC is proud to partner with HSBC and UWLM to promote family literacy in Richmond. Events like this are an important step in strengthening family literacy skills.”

 

“We want to help young people reach their full potential, and make a positive contribution in their community and wider society,” said Betty Miao, Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank Canada. “I was delighted to be part of the first-ever HSBC Family Literacy First event in Canada, and I was especially proud to see our employees working with local families to improve their reading and language comprehension skills.”

 

“United Way invests in early learning initiatives so that children get the best start in school and the best start in life,” said Michael McKnight, President & CEO United Way of the Lower Mainland. “Collaborating with organizations like HSBC and ABC helps us reach even more children and families right here in the Lower Mainland.”

 

Literacy skills are something we can practice in every language. That’s why HSBC Family Literacy First modules are available in English, French and Simplified Chinese. This is a resource for all Canadian families, including new immigrants and two additional languages will be introduced over the next two years. HSBC Family Literacy First can be used at home or in schools, libraries and learning centres. To find out more and to download free materials visit FamilyLiteracyFirst.ca.

 

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ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. ABC envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. For the latest news and information on adult and family literacy please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca, or stay connected with us through Twitter and Facebook. For more information about HSBC Family Literacy First, please visit: FamilyLiteracyFirst.ca.

 

For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Wells, Manager, Communications, ABC Life Literacy Canada

Telephone: 1-800-303-1004, ext. 122 I Email: swells@abclifeliteracy.ca