Help Save IPALS!

In December, we learned that the federal government was cutting funding for a number of immigrant support services, including our Immigrant Parents as Literacy Supporters (IPALS) program.
The news was a shock. We have been receiving ongoing funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the past ten years and had expected IPALS’ $450,000 annual budget to be renewed to help immigrant and refugee families support their children’s early literacy development.
IPALS offers newcomer parents strategies and support to help foster their children’s learning at a crucial time in their development, through interactions in English and their first language.
Unless alternative sources of funding can be found, the program will shut down.
Update: Help Support 120 parents and children by September!
Good news—thanks to community support and other funding, five IPALS sites already have some capacity to help 60 newcomer families in Surrey (2), Nanaimo, Victoria and Mission. These programs are vital for helping families bridge the Canadian school system and integrate into their new communities.
But the challenge isn’t over!
How You Can Help
- Donate today: Every dollar ensures these families receive the resources they need to adapt and thrive.
- Spread the word: Share this appeal with friends, family and your network to build awareness.
- Contact your MLA: Encourage continued support for IPALS.
Your support can make this possible. And it doesn’t stop there. Any funds raised in excess will allow us to extend this vital program to families in Burnaby, West Vancouver and New Westminster.
IPALS’ Impact
Since 2000, Decoda’s IPALS program has helped more than 7,000 newcomer parents and caregivers improve their language and literacy skills and assist their young children with early literacy activities, supporting their successful integration into Canadian society.
The program is offered in 19 communities across B.C. in partnership with school districts, settlement organizations, local community organizations and libraries.
“Participating in the IPALS program benefitted my whole family. My children are ready for school, and I am ready to be their teacher at home. I am grateful for the program in our own language, which made us comfortable understanding and asking questions.” – Gudaf Hadera (pseudonym), Sudanese immigrant to Canada who participated in the Tigrigna-language IPALS program in Burnaby.
Why It’s Needed
IPALS supports children during a critical time in their development and lays the groundwork for their future success. Studies show that children whose parents read a book to them at least once a week during the first year of elementary school score markedly higher on tests than children whose parents read to them less often or not at all.
The tens of thousands of immigrants who come to B.C. next year as well as the hundreds of thousands who are already here need access to this important support program that helps them and their families succeed in their new home and contribute to stronger communities in B.C.
“These families bring immense potential to our community, and programs like this equip them to contribute meaningfully to society. By supporting parents and caregivers, we ensure their children grow up with the tools they need to succeed, strengthening the social fabric of our country.” – Mary Parackal, District Vice Principal, West Vancouver Schools
Read more about the positive impact of IPALS programs in IPALS: Empowering newcomer families through learning and play.
Here’s what you can do to help us save IPALS
As the federal government is unlikely to reverse its funding decision, support from other levels of government is key to saving IPALS.
You can use this template to send a letter to your MLA. You can look up your MLA here.
Share a message of support
Support for IPALS
Karen Greauz
We feel that a success has been to develop a sense of community with the participating families, program leaders and with each other. Families are feeling more comfortable within the school setting and have made good connections to community partners who have attended as guests. This helps to deepen connections to the school and broader community. They are learning more about how a school in Canada works, meeting other families, getting resources from community partners and practicing literacy skills in a supported environment.
Christie Case
IPALS is uniquely positioned to provide meaningful and practical support to newcomer families in BC. In 19 communities across the province, IPALS provides a place of connection for parents and children, who may otherwise have difficulty accessing the resources needed to support their children's success at school.
As a society, we understand the importance of educational success. We also know that academic success is tied to social and emotional well-being. We don't have to look far to find evidence for this truth. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3026344/
IPALS is a community-based literacy program that supports newcomer parents' abilities to nurture their children's overall well-being. Community connections are developed and strengthened for the entire family. Parents are supported in their engagement with their children's educational experiences, and the benefits ripple out into the wider community.
Please, support IPALS in this essential work.
Nanaimo IPALS participant
Randa Abo Zrik wrote in 2017:
The program affected me and my son Omar a lot. I realized the value of time with my son and how to allocate a certain time for him to play and teach at the same time. I did not give him special attention and through this program I learned the value of this thing. My son changed his behavior at home and became interested in things he learned through the program. For example, when you learn some letters , every time he sees a word, he asks me about the letters, and he knows his name and how he writes it. The numbers are also used in his daily life, for example he draw roses and then starting with the count. Or when playing with his sister uses numbers as a way to start the game. Finally he liked to read stories and every day ask me to read a story.
Sandeep K Toor
This program should not be cut. More families need this program because in this class children come and take part in activities. The children learn a lot. This program is very good.
This program teaches children about school and families learn a lot. Children learn about the rules of the school and many more useful things. This program is really good and should not be ended.
Pat Pobuda
What I love about IPALS is the enthusiasm from the children when they participate in the learning activities. I ask the parents at the start of each session if they used any of the materials, looked at the book, or played any of the games. I have heard how their children are singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” repeatedly, that they want to redo the same activities at home, and the parents themselves are learning English in a fun way. IPALS helps to build a broad range of foundational early learning skills which in turn enables those children to continue to grow on these skills as they advance into and through school
Pankhuri Bhullar
I got to know how to support my daughter’s literacy and different methods to teach her in interesting ways. I learned how to be creative with her during story time. We use the materials from the program at home. Her favourite book is Brown Bear and she loves to play with the animals on the glove. She makes up stories.
This program is a necessity for new parents to come up with new ideas about how to teach our kids. It’s good for newcomer families as we get together with other new families to share ideas and learn how to grow our children in the Canadian culture.
Lois B. Reimer
IPALS is an extremely important program to assist immigrant families thrive in their new communities. Coming to a new country and adjusting to a different way of life is difficult enough without having the language to do so. It is critical especial for a child's development in providing a foundation for future success. IPALS is integral to family, community and social learning.
Yuki Storey
I knew nothing about Canadian school systems when I came to Canada. I felt isolated and worried about what I can do for my son. For me, the benefits were gaining information on what education is like in Canada, learning vocabulary related to the children's school system, understanding my son's likes and dislikes regarding various themes, discovering activities I can do with him at home, and so many other valuable lessons. Additionally, meeting in person with instructors and other parents was really important. These experiences have increased my confidence as a mother in a new country.
I believe there are many immigrant parents who may feel isolated, confused, or challenged by changing their circumstances, so definitely IPALS should be saved for those parents who need support.
Jane Doe
The program is very special, and I greatly benefited from it, learning many essential and effective skills that help one move forward in their life journey. The program deserves support because it helps children develop skills and learn the fundamentals that they might be missing these days due to their immersion in the world of technology.
I strongly recommend this program and thank those responsible for it for their efforts with the children and for all the creative ideas that contribute to developing the child's personality and knowledge.
Tahir
The IPALS program has been incredibly helpful for my family. It has given us tools to better support our child’s learning at home, particularly in developing their literacy and language skills. IPALS is a lifeline for families who want to support their children’s education, especially those new to the community or country. Supporting IPALS ensures that more families can benefit from this impactful program.
Noura Zaiem
This program was so helpful for me as a new immigrant to Canada with two little boys. It helped us integrate into society and know more about the community and gave us a alot of Ideas about simple and smart kids activities.
Kids were enjoying playing and learning around.
RGNR
IPALS is a brilliant program, it helped our family learn together. For the first time we understood that words on English are made up of sounds and kid should read using sounds and not by watching the way words are spelt.
Young preschool aged kids in immigrant families like ours need English education, for this the adults need to learn first. IPALS does exactly this - educates the adults on how to help kids learn the English language.
Ghadir
I worked for IPALS for six years. This amazing program helped newcomer families learn various activities and skills to prepare their preschool children for school and strengthen the connections between parents and their kids. I met families from many parts of the world who joined IPALS and observed how their ideas about learning through play changed over time. IPALS helped many families meet, socialize, and avoid isolation. It also improved their language skills and connected them to many useful community resources.
Coreen Douglas
For over a decade, this program, made possible through the work of Decoda and IRCC funding, has helped 4,500 immigrant families build bridges to Canadian life—connecting them with schools, communities, and a sense of belonging. As a longtime donor, I’ve seen the incredible impact Decoda has had in making this program a reality.
Cutting this vital resource risks leaving families behind when they need us most. Canada’s strength lies in inclusion, and it is our moral duty to support those we’ve welcomed into our country.
I encourage everyone to support Decoda in continuing this essential work, so we can ensure that families have the opportunities they need to thrive. Together, we can uphold the values that make Canada a place of hope and belonging for all.
R chhina
I really appreciate the opportunity to attend IPALS classes with my daughter. She enjoyed the activities, and we learned so many valuable ways to support her learning at home. It wasn’t just about reading books; the teachers guided us on how to help children learn alphabets, practice writing, and understand how to read effectively. The free supplies provided by the program were also a great help for parents. These classes have been incredibly beneficial in preparing my child for kindergarten, especially by showing me the small but important steps I can take to help her succeed. I truly believe this program should continue to benefit other families as it did for ours.”
SM
I learned a lot of things. I liked that the children can find friends, meeting people who speak different languages and who they might not have met otherwise. Making connections in the community allowed me and my daughter to have playdates and go to birthday parties. I learned skills to help my daughter learn in a fun, engaging way. I was not familiar with schools in Canada and was worried that I could not prepare my daughter. IPALS made me feel more confident in teaching my child. Overall, the program contributed to growing the community for these families.
Dariia
I really appreciate this opportunity to visit IPALS classes. My son likes reading books because of these lessons. We have new rituals before going to sleep. I think it is one of the greatest things which happened to me in Vancouver.
Jasdip Jhajj
This program is a great way for parents to learn how they can help their children become kindergarten ready. This program provides tools/books to families that may not have access to supplies that help their children’s learning and growth. Parents are able to see if their children are meeting the milestones/stages that a typical/average should be meeting. This way the parent can get support for their child early on before they start kindergarten.
Karla Castellanos
As an immigrant mom, IPALS has helped me to feel confident on how I’m helping my son to adapt to a new country, with a new language and obstacles. I am so grateful that this kind of program exists and makes my world a lot more easy.
Natasha Loh
In my 6 years of working at Decoda I have had the pleasure of packing IPALs boxes, hosting training sessions for IPALs staff and talking to the facilitators and never in those 6 years have I heard anything negative about the program. Families receiving their first ever book in Canada and curating their first home library, parents learning they're their child's first teacher and children familiarizing themselves with their catchment school and staff; I am always amazed at the benefits of this program and the world of opportunities and connections it opens for the families that attend. Parenting is difficult as it is so paired with a new country, a new language and a different education system can be overwhelming. IPALs affords the time and space for parents to learn alone and then alongside their children. The skills and confidence the parents take home to teach their children has a lasting impact on their families and their communities.
Let us all work to save this incredible resource
Cecilia Liu
The program alleviated our anxiety as parents. With clear guidance and practical advice, we feel more confident in our role as our child’s first and lifelong teachers. We are now better equipped to create a positive and supportive environment that encourages our child’s natural curiosity and love for learning.
Investing in IPALS is a small cost compared to the enormous returns it yields. It is a program that supports families, builds stronger communities, and contributes to the development of a skilled and well-rounded generation. Saving and expanding IPALS would mean bringing this life-changing support to more families, ensuring that more children discover the joy of learning and the motivation to succeed.
Mary Parackal
These families bring immense potential to our community, and programs like this equip them to contribute meaningfully to society. By supporting parents and caregivers, we ensure their children grow up with the tools they need to succeed, strengthening the social fabric of our country.