An educational organization has an exciting September in store with both the unveiling of the ORCA (On the Road With Children’s Activities) bus and new coordinator Christine Parsons.
The ORCA bus, which went on the road in 2006, is a joint initiative of Powell River and District United Way, Success by 6 and School District 47. It successfully brought children’s activities to areas in the community such as Lund and Texada Island which may not have had access to them otherwise.
In 2012, the bus failed its inspection and was unable to continue to be on the road. Forced to run a reduced program where supplies were transported in a van, ORCA bus organizers turned to the community for help.
Aid came in the form of Alan and Wendy Davis, who purchased a 2001 Blue Bird school bus at an auction in Vanderhoof last September. Since then, the bus has been retrofitted by volunteers, who have taken the seats out and installed cabinets and tables.
Parsons said the bus wouldn’t be a reality if it weren’t for the volunteers who have given their time.”They see the need for the ORCA bus in the community and what it brings to the children and families of Powell River,” Parsons said. “If we didn’t have volunteers, this bus would not be on the road.”
After being renovated on Texada Island, the bus is now in Powell River receiving finishing touches, such as decals on the outside. The bus is due to be unveiled at the United Way campaign kick-off picnic taking place at Willingdon Beach on September 14, but Parsons said it will probably be on the road sooner. The StrongStart program, which traditionally runs from the ORCA Bus, will be starting September 9.
Parsons remained mum about the finer details of the new bus, but did admit that “the outside will be completely different to what people are used to.” The inside, she added, will be similar with a few small changes.
Parsons, who started as coordinator about two months ago, is another new addition to Success by 6. The mother of three is looking forward to spreading the message that early childhood development is important. “Right now I’m still in the learning process, seeing what has happened with the program in the past,” she said.
A recreation professional, Parsons is passionate about the Success by 6 cause. “It’s really important to get the awareness out to parents that 90 per cent of brain development happens before the age of six,” she explained. She added that Success by 6 uses simple messages such as “read, talk, play everyday” to encourage early childhood education and development among parents.
In addition to raising awareness about early childhood development, Parsons also wants to clarify what Success by 6 actually does. Many think that it is a tangible program, she said, while it is actually more of an initiative. “It works with those agencies that put on programs, connecting them and working with them to get awareness out,” she explained.
Besides awareness campaigns, Success by 6 is looking for new ways to educate. In September, it will be opening a half-time office at the new Westview Elementary School which will have resources that parents can use.
Parsons said that Success by 6 and the ORCA bus are always looking for new volunteers, including people to help deliver programming and drive the bus.
Success by 6, which is in small communities across BC, is jointly funded by United Way and First Credit Union and includes a provincial partnership with BC’s ministry of children and family development.
Parsons said it’s monumental to have this initiative in Powell River. “It’s huge to have an initiative really fight for ongoing early childhood development, and it’s our local United Way and credit union that made it happen,” she said.
