Ignite Academy

The United Way Academic Team (UWAT) expanded to have one team member in each Ignite Academy every day of programming to great success despite staffing challenges. UWAT was able to facilitate hundreds of academic interventions to the students who needed it and made great progress with individual academic goals. To start off the year, UWAT staff worked towards completing diagnostics assessments for all Ignite Academy participants before programming began. This enabled UWAT to implement mathematics interventions twice per week in every school in addition to the literacy interventions occurring twice per week. UWAT has also expanded their intervention capacity to work with multiple students using resource development, technology, and intensive professional development for the team. The diagnostic assessments allow UWAT staff to target skills the Ignite Academy participants are missing or cannot demonstrate proficiency. Each participant has a targeted education plan created to support filling in any content gaps in student knowledge and to support each participant in engaging in their academic success.

A challenge that UWAT overcomes is changing the youth’s perception of academics. UWAT makes mathematics and literacy fun and exciting to learn. Curriculum is covered in engaging, individualized activities that occur in small groups or one-on-one settings. A prominent part of UWAT’s success is due to the formidable relationships formed between staff and student. Ignite participants are not only eager to work on academics but are eager to update their UWAT staff on what they are learning in school, how much progress they’ve made, and to show off some tests, assignments, and report cards.

Some Ignite Academy participants are far behind their peers academically. This can be daunting throughout the school day and for any teacher with a full classroom. UWAT has the opportunity to work with these students in intense academic settings to determine where skills can be retained and nurtured to support growth throughout the school day as well as in Ignite. These participants are among the most eager to learn and to catch up to their peers whether the difference is from a change in schools, cities, countries or language, a diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disability, a personal reason for missing extended periods of school, or a lasting effect from the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the reason for falling behind, UWAT works to learn the what each student needs, communicates with the full Ignite Academy team for best practices and strategies, and implements the plan with regular adaptations to ensure we are effective in our goals.

Another key part of the success UWAT sees in programming is the extended relationships with families. Youth in Ignite Academy can start in Grade 2 and continue through their elementary school years. This offers UWAT a chance to support year after year with the same students and caregivers making more of a difference in their education goals over time. UWAT can engage caregivers with more supports for their children, truly encompassing the holistic view of education inherent to Ignite Academy. These relationships and academics work together to promote strong independent learners with more options and opportunities for their futures. UWAT is enthusiastic about this years progress and excited to see what the fall brings next academic year!

The Multicultural Council (MCC) of Windsor and Essex County began the second year of Ignite Academy continuing to support four schools in Windsor: St. James and General Brock in the west end and Immaculate Conception and Begley in downtown Windsor. MCC expanded their team this year to include extra substitute program facilitators in addition to many program volunteers. Notably, MCC leveraged a partnership with Empowering Women for Employment program accepting many volunteers through their Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) initiative. MCC also tapped into some of Ignite’s community partners with St Clair College and the University of Windsor to identify exceptional staff members and volunteers. This year MCC involved over 25 volunteers with over 450 hours of volunteer work.

The success of MCC’s Ignite program hinged greatly on the expertise of the experienced staff and facilitators, particularly their adeptness in working with school-aged children. Their backgrounds in curriculum development played a pivotal role in shaping the after-school program. Equally notable are their strong conflict resolution skills, essential for managing disputes among program participants and effectively engaging with diverse groups. Retaining much of the same staff from the previous year has been instrumental in the program’s continued success and positive growth. The recruitment of experienced individuals facilitated the completion of year-long curriculum planning well in advance of the program’s start. Facilitators collaborated closely, exchanging ideas and working collectively at each school to craft plans that seamlessly integrated various subjects, addressing the needs and interests of all students.

Another pivotal component of MCC’s success this year was the constant communication facilitated by Ignite staff. This guaranteed any concerns were being addressed promptly and efficiently. Caregivers and families reported feeling supported and included with the regular communications and updates. Furthermore, MCC devised innovative ways to support families in need by curating holiday and school break gift bags containing food, educational materials, and engaging activities for students and their families. Gift cards for groceries, meals, and gas were given to families going through challenges.

MCC’s use of community collaboration and networking with local organizations layers into serving the diverse community of Windsor. This supports delivering impactful programming that reflects the community to the students and families within Ignite Academy and it instills pride in Windsor services. MCC offered referrals for counselling services to many Ignite youth through Regional Children’s Centre (RCC), Family Services, Transparency Counselling Services and more. MCC incorporated Bridge to Recovery Mental Health programming during Ignite Academy for all participants to educate on mental health, well-being, particularly considering the ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjacent to mental health supports, MCC Ignite staff coordinated with Ignite families to ensure physical health concerns were also being addressed. This includes referring families to family doctors and nurse practitioners, including nurse practitioners in programming with the children to promote healthy habits, and including the Smile Wagon in programming to provide oral hygiene education. Through these visits, children are provided some resources and tools to take home like personal hygiene products, toothbrushes and floss, and multilingual information packets.

One of the self-reported favourite parts of Ignite Academy listed by participants is the snack that starts off each programming day. MCC offered creative, filling snacks to Ignite participants with some favourites from the pilot year. MCC also collaborated with local restaurants like Hamoudi’s Shawarmas and Marco’s Pizza to provide nutritious hot meals and expose students to different food varieties. Another fan favourite of Ignite Academy is the guest speakers. MCC Ignite Academies hosted visits from Windsor Police Services, The Windsor Public Library, Windsor Spitfires, and other local professionals. Overall, the Ignite Academy participants had a great year and are looking forward to what next year’s programming surprises will bring!

South Essex Community Council (SECC) supports the two Leamington Ignite Academy programs at St. Louis Catholic School and Queen Elizabeth Public School. SECC had a successful second year of programming. The Ignite staff were excited to see their many returning participants and engage the community to better support families in need. SECC’s dedication to support Ignite Academy was demonstrated by rotating in staff from other departments to cover staffing challenges and provide continuous support to Ignite Academy participants.

SECC provides engaging, educational programming that inspires participation among their youth. STEAM or science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics took a prominent focus in year two programming. Small projects caught the attention of the Ignite participants and that attention was carefully crafted into more in-depth learning opportunities. Reinforcing cross-curricular learning, the youth completed lab reports during the activities to strengthen literacy skills and the Ignite staff have seen great improvements in both skill and engagement. SECC regularly facilitates culturally responsive programming to serve their diverse community. For example, SECC utilized more traditional forms of art such as Story Stones, which opened conversations about Indigenous and First Nations peoples and their stories.

A large contributor to the success of SECC is the wonderfully dedicated staff and volunteers that facilitate Ignite Academy! Some volunteers are just as excited, if not more so, than the youth to participate in programming time. Ignite staff are immersed in the community and take the time to support every Ignite Academy family with their needs. Anything from referrals, to groceries, to a kind and caring ear, Ignite staff are eager to help. Caregivers receive updates and regular communications about events and upcoming opportunities. Ignite participants have formed strong developmental relationships with their Ignite leaders, reporting that the staff are a large favourite component of the program. These trusted relationships allow Ignite staff at SECC to support youth when they are overwhelmed and experiencing challenges. A true testament to the strength of bonds formed in Ignite Academy is the high retention of students already enrolled for next year! SECC looks forward to greeting families again in the fall for another fun-filled year!

Addressing food security in creative and collaborative ways is a core strength of SECC Ignite staff. Partnerships with Mucci Farms LTD and Leamington United Mennonite Church were strengthened over the year to continue providing fresh, healthy produce, and prepared snacks for each day of programming. Ignite Academy participants reported receiving enough food throughout programming and citing favourites like the Build-your-own Parfaits, Caesar salads, fruit kebobs, and pasta. However, SECC’s use of community collaborations extends well beyond snack time. Youth Diversion visited the program to run an internet safety presentation in addition to an after-hours presentation for caregivers. The Essex County Public Library was invited to Ignite and assisted in signing up all Ignite Academy participants with library cards. Representatives from the City of Windsor visited to educate children and their caregivers about the Pathway to Potential 90% Recreation Discount Program (P2P). Many of the Ignite Academy participants under SECC’s care were signed up for recreation programs and camps with the support of the Family System Navigators. Many guest speakers were invited to showcase different career trajectories including Windsor Police and the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village brought innovative programming to Ignite to introduce interactive activities on what life was like for children one hundred years ago.