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In 1990 OCRI founded the School
Breakfast Program.
“OCRI is leading the way to build a strong economic
foundation and high quality of life in Ottawa. A robust education
system that facilitates lifelong learning is critical to the
success of the knowledge-based industries we serve. All Ottawans
deserve the opportunity to develop the skills they need to
contribute to our workforce and our community. The goal of
the Ottawa School Breakfast Program is to ensure that all
children start each day with a healthy breakfast, so they
are ready to learn and succeed at school.”
- Kathy McKinlay,
Executive Director, Education and Research, OCRI.
In the city of Ottawa, 9500 children in 139 schools begin each school day with a nutritious meal provided by the School Breakfast Program. The program provides funding for equipment, program monitors and food. Two independent evaluations of the Ottawa School Breakfast program demonstrated that students who are fed a nutritious breakfast make significant improvements in learning, school attendance, behavior and self-esteem.
Purpose
To improve the ability of children in-need to learn by providing
a nutritious breakfast in a safe, supervised environment.
Innovation
- Community ownership – a united, collaborative,
cost-effective approach in dealing with this important aspect
of child poverty;
- School Boards provide food and manage the Breakfast Monitors;
- The Community Foundation and local donors provide for
one-time costs such as equipment;
- The United Way/Centraide Ottawa and Regional Government
provide funding for Breakfast Monitors;
- Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Breakfast
for Learning, St. Vincent de Paul Stores, The Food Bank
and individual donors provide support and funding.
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