The University of the Fraser Valley, in collaboration with Chilliwack Community Services, School District # 33 and the Fraser Health Authority, have established a family learning centre in an inner-city neighbourhood. Central Gateway for Families serves downtown families with children pre-birth to Grade 6. The centre is located in dedicated space in Central Elementary Community School. A range of programs offer integrated support and learning opportunities.

The programs are:

• Family Literacy Program (3 mornings a week) including:
  • Adult Learning Centre – Adult students are supported by a UFV instructor in a community-based learning centre. Learners may choose to focus on improving their literacy & fundamental English skills, maths, career exploration, personal and interpersonal communication skills, job preparation, journaling, basic computer literacy. Learners may be matched with a UFV trained literacy tutor for additional support.
  • Pre-school for 3 and 4 year olds with a strong focus on  developing language and emerging literacy skills, within a framework of supporting development in all domains.
  • Infant – toddler program
  •  Parent and Child Together (PACT) time – parents with pre-schoolers and   parents with school-aged students in their classes
  •  Parenting – positive parenting, early brain development, child development, family reading etc.
  •  Mother Goose pre-literacy program for parents and older babies
    
• Summer pro-social recreational programs for 6 to 12 year olds
• Prenatal nutrition program for women with increased challenges for healthy pregnancy
• Families First – support and education group for parents with increased challenges in parenting their children (3 series of 8 weeks each, plus home visiting) 
  

All of the above programs provide nutrition breaks; all except Summer Program and Mother Goose provide a meal each program day.

Health Nurses and a Dietitian connect to program participants and visit the center regularly. They respond to families’ health questions and provide education and advocacy for their health needs.

Families are benefiting from the creation of more spaces for adult as well as child learners. Adults and children both benefit from a positive experience in a school environment. Adult participants are overcoming alienation from school due to historical negative school experiences.

Adult and youth volunteers support all aspects of the project – in the classroom, computer lab, kitchen, pre-school, etc. High school and college students, nursing students and others in practicum placements contribute in a multitude of ways, enhancing the support and ‘community of care’.