Bond to Literacy (BTL)
BTL is a 12-week group-based program for vulnerable and isolated mothers of children between three and five years of age. It works with families that face barriers that prevent them from accessing longer-term or more intensive programs. The program is designed to demand less from families while still providing tools and support for building mothers’ confidence, capacity, community connections, parent-child engagement, improved literacy, and school readiness. BTL is offered in French and English.
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Peer-Based Delivery
BTL uses a proven model of peer-to-peer program delivery. Community Facilitators are hired from the local community to facilitate bi-weekly group meetings and provide clients with information and referrals to essential services.
Family and Community Focus
It strengthens families and communities by breaking the isolation, bringing families into the fold of service delivery, and enabling families’ access to various essential services. It empowers mothers to better understand their rights and communities so they can meaningfully integrate and actively participate in Canadian society. BTL sets a solid foundation for families to better understand their communities and support their children’s school readiness skills.
Program Outcomes
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Reduced vulnerability and isolation of BTL families through increased awareness, access and uptake of essential services
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Stronger families through deepened parent-child and family bonds
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Catalyzed integration and community connections of BTL mothers and families through increased confidence, capacity, and group-based community interaction
Participants Receive
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12 weeks of free programming for integration and community building, and early childhood education
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12 group meetings (1/week)
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12 weekly activity packets
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6 books
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A set of BTL shapes
BTL Licensing Fee
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All partner sites will pay $1250 annually for 2025-27, and $1500 annually for 2028-29.
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All sites also pay for access to ETO, our Performance Management System for each BTL staff member, at the rate of $100/year/user for 2025-27, and of $120/year/user for 2028-29.
Note: Sites can run multiple cohorts of 12 weeks over the year. The number of cohorts does not have a capped limit. Partners do not need to pay ETO user fees for the staff they may be paying for through another MMC program.
