Festival of Family Literacy Activities
| Organization | Activity | Location |
| ONLINE – Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association | Online Storytime Join us for an online ‘story time’ program. Simply follow the link to join Jane and Maryke in a wonderful story about the magic of a child and a horse. Click on link below to hear story: https://youtu.be/Hqafqh1KNTk vtra.ca | Virtual Event |
ONLINE – Peninsula Early Years, Beacon Community Services | Playing with Stories Join us on Facebook through a series of videos and we’ll play along with our favourite stories. Each video features a Storybook reading and ways to extend the story through play experiences you can enjoy as a family. New videos posted every morning between January 24-29th. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/peninsulaearlyyears | Facebook Online |
| IN-PERSON – Panorama Recreation | StoryWalk Story Walk through the lobby at Panorama Recreation centre and pick up an activity sheet at our display table. Then walk through the recreation centre while you read The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino between Jan 23-30th. January 23-30. 2022 www.crd.bc.ca/panorama | 1885 Forest Park Drive |
IN-PERSON – McTavish Academy of Art | Box of Books! Drop by during the week to take a tour of the art centre and sift through the book suitcase for an art related book to take home! January 23-30. 2022 https://mctavishacademy.ca/ | 1720 McTavish Rd |
| IN-PERSON – VIRL – Sidney / North Saanich Library | I Spy: Family Literacy Fun! We have crafted an “I Spy” challenge just for you! Pick up a booklet. You’ll find answers to the questions in our “I Spy” window. Look closely! Got all the answers? Enter our PRIZE DRAW and maybe win a fun game package for the whole family. Please be mindful of physical distancing (2 meters) from others while completing the challenge. January 21 – February 8 Regular Branch Hours https://virl.bc.ca/event/i-spy-family-literacy-fun/ | 10091 Resthaven Drive |
| IN-PERSON Greater Victoria Public Library | Book Recommendations by Teens for Teens Teens are invited to drop by their local branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library throughout Family Literacy Week (January 24-29) to share their book recommendations and see what other teens are reading. We’ll supply the post-its and pens and teens can share their picks. January 24-29, 2022 Regular Branch Hours https://www.gvpl.ca/gvpl-programs/ | Any GVPL Branch |
| Greater Victoria Public Library | Once Upon a StoryWalk Join us for a StoryWalk®, where individual pages of a storybook, mounted on sign posts, are placed outdoors in a circuit. Children follow the narrative by visiting each sign post in sequence. Rain or shine; please dress appropriately. Drop-in. These programs are part of the Festival of Family Literacy. Everyone welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. COVID-safety measures will be in place during the event. Saturday, January 29, 2022 11:00 am–1:00 pm | BowPark/Brodick Park (Brodick Park is accessible via Hollyridge Place or Brodick Crescent) |
| ONLINE – ABC Life Literacy Canada | Clay Picture Illustration Celebrate Family Literacy Day 2022 Virtually with Honorary Chair and picture book illustrator Barbara Reid! Barbara will be doing a demonstration on how to use clay to create a picture. She will share unique techniques you can use to make different things. The event will end with a Q&A. This event is ideal for children in grades 1 to 6. To register for free, please click here. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible to secure your spot. Jan 27, 2022 4:30 PM (Eastern Time Canada) https://barbarareid.ca/ https://abclifeliteracy.ca/all-programs/family-literacy-day/ | Online – see link |
| Story Studio | Free Writing Resources (for kids!) Local charity Story Studio has created StorySheets, designed to help your child plan and think through a story. You can print them out and fill them in, or download the fillable PDF versions and complete them on a computer. (You’ll also want a notebook or laptop to actually write your story, using your StorySheets to guide you.) Learn more | Learn more |
| Story Studio | Enter a Writing Contest (for kids!) Local charity Story Studio challenges you to write your own creative flash fiction story of 500 words about the greatest snow day of all! Will you stay in, cozied up in the most epic fort you’ve ever built? Or adventure into the depths of nearby snow caves? Tell us all about how your creative characters will spend the day, filling your story with vivid descriptions, and interesting plot twists! Entry is free, and the contest is open to ages 5-13. Prizes will be awarded for the top two stories selected by our esteemed judges for ages 5-9 and 10-13, and stories will be shared on storystudio.ca! Learn more | Submit by January 28 Learn more |
| Festival of Family Literacy | Enter to Win! Participate in any Festival of Family Literacy Activities and enter our online draw to win prizes! Open until January 30, 2022 Enter Online | Enter Online |
Family Serving Organizations
| Organization | Description | Contact |
| Beacon Community Services | Beacon Community Services’ programs and services span every phase of life. We dedicate ourselves to: Helping keep children, youth and families healthy, strong and connected. Sheltering seniors and people with disabilities in safe, affordable housing. Supporting seniors to stay social, active, healthy and energized. Equipping people to develop skills and find opportunities in the world of work. Supporting the bereaved and mentally ill. Connecting volunteers with our community. Caring for those in need https://beaconcs.ca/about-us/ | T 250-656-0134 |
| Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank | The Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank “Helps those in need through those who care.” We do that in a variety of ways but primarily by providing a food hamper designed to supplement a client’s food needs. http://splfoodbank.com/ | 9586 Fifth Street, Sidney, BC Canada T 250 655 0679 |
| Peninsula 1000 x 5 Book Recycling Project | With help from people like you, we bring children’s literacy into more homes. Every month we donate over 1500 books for babies and toddlers. Donate your gently-loved children’s books or pick up a book bag from a local provider. We invite families donate picture books; organise volunteers to sort and gift package; ensure our partners meet with parents and young children to distribute books to children. 1000×5 and you are creating real change for the children in the Capital Region. http://www.1000×5.ca/get-involved-childrens-literacy/ | http://www.1000×5.ca/contact-1000×5/ |
| Child Care Resource and Referral | For Families we offer: Referrals* to licensed and registered license-not-required child care providers. These referrals can be made in person at our office or can be emailed to you. Information about and assistance with the Affordable Child Care Benefit** Phone consultations with early childhood professionals Internet access to child care-related websites Information about community resources Toys and resources to use with your child and to assist with your parenting https://www.childcarevictoria.org | 2001A Douglas Street Victoria, BC T: 250.382.7000 |
Parent Support Services Society | We protect the safety and wellbeing of children and promote the health of all families in all their diversity in British Columbia. By partnering with communities and those in a parenting role, we can provide support, advocacy, education, research, and resources. https://www.parentsupportbc.ca | Sandi Halvorson T: 250-468-9658 sandi.halvorson@parentsupportbc.ca |
| Victoria Literacy Connection | We help children, youth and adults improve their literacy skills, including reading, writing, and math, by providing tutoring and a variety of other programs. https://www.victorialiteracyconnection.ca/ | A10 – 830 Pembroke Street Victoria T: 236-464-1575 |
Saanich Peninsula Literacy 