Reads for the Future

First Book Canada and the Bank of Montreal have partnered together to champion strong communities and the organizations supporting them by fostering an inclusive society.

Background

Promoting Inclusivity And Sustainability In Communities Across The Country

First Book Canada and the Bank of Montreal have partnered together to champion strong communities and the organizations supporting them by fostering an inclusive society. The program includes distributing an estimate of over 19,000 brand-new, culturally relevant books to communities across the country.

In 2024, the Reads for the Future program will launch and invite the First Book Canada Network™ to apply for up to $500 worth of brand-new diverse books. Anyone working in a school or representing a program serving at least 7 out of 10 participating children from a low-income family are eligible to apply.

Join The First Book Canada Network

The Need

Rising Data Trends In Canada

The World Health Organization reports mental or neurological disorders as the leading disability worldwide. Despite this significant impact, there continues to be an urgent need for mental health programs and support on a national scale. The National School-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SBMHSA) Consortium reported approximately 85% of board-level respondents expressed concern regarding student mental health and/or substance use. However, they also identified several challenges to implementing support services such as insufficient funding, a need for parent awareness, engagement, and stigma. In response to these challenges, First Book Canada and the Bank of Montreal are collaborating to enhance social and emotional learning environments nationwide.

A Closer Look

•The home environment is the primary context for children’s early learning and socio-emotional development. A child’s home literacy environment is a strong predictor of later literacy development. In 2022, UNICEF found children who do not have access to books in their household–foundational reading skills decreased by 8 percentage points.
•During the COVID-19 lockdowns, The Hospital for Sick Kids (SickKids)

The Community

Advancing Educational Equity Through Evidence-Based SEL Strategies

Social and emotional learning (SEL) can help all young people thrive personally and academically, develop and maintain positive relationships, and contribute to a more caring, just world. Educators can use SEL to promote the lived experiences and cultural assets each child brings to the community. The CASEL framework creates a foundation for applying evidence-based SEL strategies within a learning environment.

The CASEL 5 addresses five broad, interrelated areas of competence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The CASEL 5 can be taught and applied at various developmental stages from childhood to adulthood and across diverse cultural contexts.

•Self-Awareness: The ability to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.
•Self-Management: The ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.
•Social Awareness: The ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, & contexts.
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How To Engage

Interested In Applying For The Reads For The Future Program?

Reading is considered a foundation for functioning learning environments. A rich literacy home environment is essential to cultivating children’s reading attitudes. First Book Canada and Bank of Montreal have partnered together to provide the First Book Canada Network™ with the opportunity to receive funds through our Reads for the Future program to get quality books for children in need and emphasize the social-emotional well-being of the members and learners in their community.

•Be a representative from a school or an organization reaching low-income families.
•Be a registered First Book Canada member. If not already a First Book Canada member, sign-up now!

Applications for the 2025 Reads for the Future Program are closed. For future opportunities, sign up to be a First Book Canada member to hear about upcoming funding opportunities.