Editorial

More and more people are enquiring about PRINTS and it is spreading farther afield. As noted later in this Newsletter, PRINTS is being implemented in a number of sites in Ontario, and there is now a PRINTS site as far away as Africa. To emphasize a point that has been made at different times, parents, particularly low-income parents learn best when a program is available at a location with which they are familiar and comfortable. This is usually a community centre or other site connected to the community.

Just recently, UNESCO released a paper, A World Fit For Children, which is designed to be a blueprint for children's rights for the next decade. Senator Landon Pearson is chairing a task force to develop a similar declaration of children's rights for Canada. The UNESCO paper clearly states that "Parents, families, legal guardians and other caregivers have the primary role and responsibility for the well-being of children". The paper further states, "Non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations will be supported in their work and mechanisms should be established, where appropriate, to facilitate the participation of civil society matters relating to children." One reason why homes and community is so important is that there are many homes and communities in this country which are marginalized and disenfranchised because of poverty. Because we think of Canada as a first world or developed country, we do not realize the depths of poverty that exist in our midst. A recent paper by Campaign 2000 (www.campaign2000.ca) reminds us there are 1.1 million children in Canada living in poverty. In Newfoundland and Labrador, 26% of the children live below the poverty level.

The UNESCO paper states: "Chronic poverty remains the single biggest obstacle to meeting the needs, protecting and promoting the rights of children. It must be tackled on all fronts, from the provision of basic social services, to the creation of employment. Children are hardest hit by poverty because it strikes at the very roots of their potential for development -their growing bodies and growing minds."

PRINTS is a family literacy program that is most helpful to low-income parents and families. It entails a commitment of parents and others to participate in a 12 week training session; it empowers them as helpers and supporters of their young children's literacy development; it provides games, activities, and books to the children who may not have them from other sources. PRINTS is a parent/guardian program; it is in keeping with the spirit of creating a World that is Fit for Children.

Bill Fagan

PRINTS in Action: MacMorran Community Centre

MacMoran Community Centre in St. John's, NL continues to offer PRINTS on an annual or semi-annual basis. Kim Foley and Helena Stevenson, two parents from the community are the facilitators. Above are participants in a PRINTS session in the fall of 2002. Here parents are busy at the Scribbling, Drawing, and Writing STEP. They are making a wide assortment of books: slit books, poof books, etc.

Diplomas and Congratulations

PRINTS Wrap-up is always a special occasion. Parents are recognized for making a 12 week commitment and for their dedication ill developing knowledge, skills, and techniques to help their children.

The following photo shows three of the parents with PRINTS co-developer, Bill Fagan, receiving their certificates.