SHARE Family Announces Significant Changes to Newcomer Programming in the Tri-Cities

COQUITLAM, British Columbia - March 20, 2014 - PRLog -- SHARE Family & Community Services announced today that its English Practice Groups program, which has been providing support services in the Tri-Cities since 2001, was not approved for funding by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. As a result, effective April 1^st, the program will be significantly scaled-down for a three month period. During this time, SHARE will be investigating alternative funding and service delivery options.

English Practice Groups provide language instruction and practice opportunities in our Tri-Cities community, delivered by volunteers, at multiple locations. Since 2005:

5,809 people have participated
Hundreds of volunteers have provided 11,644 volunteer hours of support

SHARE’s 2013 Program Evaluation survey indicated:

91% of volunteers reported that that are “very satisfied” with their work in the program;
85% of participants indicated that they understand English better

Martin Wyant, Chief Executive Officer for SHARE, is disappointed that funding for the English Practice Groups program has been cut. “This program has been a model of efficiency and effectiveness”, said Wyant. “We are very thankful to all of the community partners who have provided us with space and other resources and the many volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise to help newcomers develop the necessary language skills to settle in their new community”.

SHARE, with the support of its volunteers and community partners, hopes to continue to provide English Practice Group services until June 2014. Wyant is hopeful that SHARE will find new funding support to help continue the program and estimates that a total commitment of $50,000 will be required to operate the program for a year. “In the coming weeks, we are hoping to find a number of contributions to make the program viable”, said Wyant. Individuals, organizations and businesses who are interested in supporting the English Practice Groups program are asked to contact Martin Wyant at 604 529 5126 or at martin.wyant@sharesociety.ca.