Community Connections and Engagement

NLCs create a process for the school, families and the community to work together actively to co-create a school and community climate that is safe, supportive and respectful. School and community issues are identified and those who care come together to build upon assets. Examples might include:

• celebrations and town hall meetings—Halloween fireworks, pumpkin carving, Christmas carolling, carnivals, community picnics, Easter egg hunts, celebrations and cultural events important to the community (e.g., Chinese New Year and Diwali), all-candidates meetings
• individuals with specific skill sets
• businesses and food suppliers
• service groups
• neighbourhood associations
• non-profit organizations
• regional libraries

• recreation centres
• colleges/universities
• First Nations councils
• Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Neighbourhood Houses
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• health networks and practitioners
• seniors organizations
• preschool and child care
• curricular support

Integrated Services with Agencies and Organizations

NLCs support and facilitate collaboration with community agencies to coordinate and create partnerships for the provision of services and programs that may be housed in the school or community, for example:

• social workers from Ministry of Children and Family Development
• health clinics and practitioners
• dental clinics, fluoride treatment for young children, dental screening
• seniors organizations
• environmental organizations
• parks, recreation and cultural services

• library services
• local literacy councils
• non-profit organizations: conservancy, water stewardship, recycling
• Aboriginal Friendship Centres
• Neighbourhood Houses, Boys and Girls Clubs
• community counsellors and outreach workers, drug and alcohol, John Howard Society

Family Engagement and Support Services

NLCs provide and connect families with local community supports and services with the goal of continuing to build individual and community capacity. Supports and services might include:

• social workers
• family counsellors
• addiction counsellors
• clothing exchanges, clothing rooms
• toy exchanges
• subsidies for programs, Kidsport, recreation subsidies, support for child care subsidy applications
• parenting education/support programs

• hot lunch and breakfast programs
• community kitchens
• community meals, seniors meals
• potluck suppers
• emergency food cupboards, food banks, food recovery programs
• parent-teen mediation and transition groups
• youth street workers, early childhood outreach workers

Youth Connections

NLCs provide informal and formal neighbourhood-based programming and support for youth that encourages youth involvement, social responsibility and leadership through:

• mentorship programs
• leadership development
• employment centres
• youth drop-ins
• secondary school transition opportunities

Supporting and Enhancing Student Learning through Personalized Learning

NLCs support and promote school goals developed by School Planning Councils with programs and initiatives that enhance the school curriculum and social responsibility through greater involvement and use of community resources through enriched curriculum with programs, volunteers and resources that contribute skills and knowledge for students and teachers (e.g., artists in residence, living history projects, athletic skills, personalized learning).

Early Learning Initiatives

A number of options to address the play and learning needs of families with young children can be provided through:

• StrongStart programs
• Healthy Babies programs
• parent/tot drop-ins, parent/tot gym time, pre-school library time
• preschools

• child care
• Ready Set Learn events and programs
• Mother Goose, Nobody’s Perfect
• parenting programs and parenting coaching
• guests for special events