The Surrey Community-Schools Partnership has received one of three United Way Celebration of Community Awards. The award recognizes United Way-funded programs which focus on prevention or early intervention in an innovative way in response to changing social conditions in the Lower Mainland.

Besides providing funding, the United Way also supplies expertise to support the Community-Schools initiative.

The $2,500 received as part of the award will support 17 community schools in the four town centres of Whalley, Guildford, Newton and Cloverdale.

Prior to 2006, Surrey had one community school but success of the initiative has resulted in significant expansion. Five district community-school coordinators worked with community partners to establish school hubs in the town centres. In addition, “youth hubs” have been developed to provide support and services more specific to teen issues.

The hubs weave together an array of local services, resources and expertise to complement and enhance the school district’s educational mandate and address the needs of children, families and the broader community. By consolidating services such as health, social, recreation and literacy, families benefit from easier access to important resources and community support.

The City of Surrey has partnered with the district to lead the Community-Schools Partnership initiative as one element of the city’s ‘prevent and deter’ component of the city’s crime reduction strategy and as part of its ongoing commitment to child, youth and family cultural and leisure services. The program uses schools as neighbourhood focal points to build a sense of neighbourhood identity and promote lifelong learning and overall community livability.

• More information about the program is at www.communityschoolspartnership.surrey.ca .
• Find information on the United Way Community Award by visiting the United Way website .

Last Updated: April 27, 2010