ORCA Bus
What is the ORCA Bus?
The ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus is an initiative of Success by 6® Powell River in partnership with PRESS (Powell River Educational Services Society), a non-profit entity of School District 47. School District 47 donated a decommissioned school bus to the project, and various community members have been involved in the refit. The ORCA Bus is supported by volunteer seniors, bringing early childhood development (ECD) programming and resources to all preschoolers, including those in outlying communities in the Powell River area. The ORCA bus travels from Saltery Bay to Lund, including Texada, bringing information, programs, activities and fun to neighbourhoods along the way. The bus is literally a vehicle for intergenerational exchanges, for early childhood development, for learning and connecting, and for bringing services like early literacy supports, information about health and nutrition, puppets, stories and cultural exchange to all areas of the region.
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Why this project?
The idea of a mobile service for families and children seems to have taken on a life of its own in Powell River and in other communities in the province. By talking to local families and service providers, we know that getting around in our spread-out region can be time consuming and expensive. We know that people with kids need supports in the neighbourhoods where they live and play. A mobile “hub” of programs is a flexible and cost-effective way to provide service throughout the region.
Who is involved?
The Success By 6 Council of Partners has taken the lead in developing the project in collaboration with School District 47 and Powell River Educational Services Society (PRESS). Various local businesses and organizations provide additional financial and in-kind support. Our planning team includes people from business, from the charitable sector, and of course people who work with and for families and children in Powell River.
We invite you to be involved too! Contact Success By 6 for sponsorship, partnership and programming opportunities. We offer an attractive sponsorship recognition package – Splash, our ORCA Mascot, could be the star attraction at your next staff event! Volunteers are integral to the success of this project. We’d love to hear from potential drivers and helpers. Please contact Kim at 604-485-2132 or email kim@successby6powellriver.ca to find out more about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities!
