Location: Edmonton, Alberta
With a history of dedicated and committed parent volunteers, the Edmonton Chinese Bilingual Education Association (ECBEA) is set for future success.
Established in 1982, the association has and remains an organization reliant on its volunteers – parents helping to build a stronger education for their own children and provide learning options for all students.
The ECBEA piloted the Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Program, designed for students starting as early as kindergarten or Grade 1 with no former knowledge of the Chinese language. Working with Edmonton Public Schools, the ECBEA and its volunteers grew enrolments from 33 students in its inaugural year to more than 2,000 today. Volunteers spearhead fundraising efforts to support the purchase of text and resources books, cultural materials and equipment. The association also contributes funds annually to each school participating in the program and to date, has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships.
Volunteers are now trying to create broader awareness and understanding of the bilingual education program and Chinese culture by participating in the annual Heritage Festival and events at local malls. The program’s alumni, junior and senior high students are also encouraged to carry on the tradition of volunteerism by participating at events to promote Chinese culture and language.
Parent volunteers have been the driving force behind the success of the association for more than 4 decades. For their unwavering commitment, the volunteers of today – and yesterday – are worthy recipients of Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition honours.
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