News Release

SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The provincial government announced today it is providing $2.5 million over six years to Bee Me Kidz (BMK) to support vulnerable children and their families and to help them succeed in the labour market.

The non-profit organization offers free educational and parental programs to elementary school-aged children and their families in the Saint John and St. Stephen areas.

“Bee Me Kidz is about supporting the family unit to live their life to the fullest and empower them to grab onto opportunities that help them grow,” said Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard. “Providing focused programs like this one can empower children to make positive choices throughout life and ultimately create long-term benefits for them, their families and New Brunswick’s future workforce.”

Shephard made the announcement on behalf of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder.

The free weekly programs, launched in 2014, focus on social and emotional skills, nutrition, parenting skills, and community connectedness. The organization was created to address the need for early intervention. By developing strong social skills, learning to identify and manage emotions, make friends, and develop resilience, children and their families are better able to engage in social activities, make and retain friendships, focus on school, show empathy, and contribute to their community.

Bee Me Kidz offers the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies curriculum, known as PATHS. This learning program is provided through partner schools during the week and during their Saturday program.

The Saturday program includes a nutritious family brunch and healthy snacks, along with take-home snack bags for children, and a parental education component that aims to enhance the ability of parents to support their children’s social and emotional needs at home as well as their own well-being.

PATHS aims to develop social and emotional competencies in elementary school-aged children such as self-control, emotional understanding, self-esteem, peer relations and interpersonal problem-solving skills.

The partner schools are:

• Centennial School

• Prince Charles School

• Seaside Park Elementary School

• Glen Falls School

• St. Stephen Elementary School

• Milltown Elementary School

“Having this program up and running in Saint John has been exciting for the community, and for the people it supports,” said Anglophone South School District Superintendent, Derek O’Brien. “I know that Bee Me Kidz has already helped many families in the region, emboldening them to succeed, together.”

The programs are currently provided to about 1,600 children in the Saint John and St. Stephen areas and will be expanded to Sussex in September.

“We know that Bee Me Kidz is making a difference in our province,” said Missy Bewick, executive director. “We are grateful to the Government of New Brunswick for helping us expand this program to more children in need.”

Key program outcomes are to increase the number of children showing positive improvements in social and emotional learning and increase the number of parents engaged. The program also refers parents who are seeking training and employment opportunities to WorkingNB.

More information on Bee Me Kidz is available on their website (only available in English).