The Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) program is a home-based literacy program for vulnerable children aged 3 to 5 on the east side of Vancouver. The program is home-based, involving and often increasing the literacy of the parents of HIPPY participants. The program is founded on the premise that children who can read when they arrive at school will perform better academically. Early school success improves the chances of later success and educated children are better able to meet life’s many challenges and opportunities. Graduates of the HIPPY program have scores that meet or exceed those of any student in BC. HIPPY provides this program at a cost of approximately $1,000 per child.

In their first year with SVP, the HIPPY team has developed a business plan to articulate fund-raising strategies, scope human resource and operational needs. The team has also defined the structure and governance model for the partnership between multiple HIPPY programs (Britannia, aboriginal etc) that operate in the city.

In the past year, HIPPY has hired 4 additional home instructors. In the next two years, the HIPPY team will execute a fundraising strategy to secure resources for further program expansion.

http://www.hippycanada.ca/