Jane Thompson, teacher, St. Andrew’s Elder, Reaching for Rainbows Steering Committee

"As a supply teacher of more than a dozen years in Prince Edward County elementary schools I have seen first-hand the need for a program such as Reaching for Rainbows. At R4R we focus on vital life skills with which some young girls obviously need help: maintaining good relationships, making wise decisions and developing their God given gifts."

In April we sat down with 3 parents and asked them what the Reaching for Rainbows program meant for them and their children. The following is an overview of their testimony:

· they all represented broken families with a history of a lot of trauma because of this reality

· they were all financially challenged-the 3 girls would not be in the program if there was a cost

· two of the girls did not have friends outside of school because of their own social behaviour

· the parents wanted things for their children that they were unable to give them because of their own limited resources

· they all agreed that the program also reduced their own stress—they were able to provide more attention to a sibling OR didn’t feel so guilty if they had to work and leave the younger child in the care of an older child

· all three of them expressed concern that they themselves did not have the skills necessary to deal with some of their child’s behavioral issues

· one parent expressed that she had been a teenager in Picton and wanted to protect her child from bad influences but knew that she couldn’t do it alone

· they were all so grateful that the girls were developing manners and given opportunities to provide leadership and decision-making

William Launderville. Principal, Queen Elizabeth Public School

"Reaching for Rainbows has had such a positive impact on the development and the esteem of our girls. The students love their time at the program and their involvement has benefited both their social and academic success."

Donate online now