Providing help for kids with special needs

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

Project H.O.P.E. provides therapeutic services for kids with special needs, and they recently raised over $10,000 in a fundraiser.

However, funding remains as a big obstacle for the organization.

The organization was founded 27 years ago and was one of the first of its kind in Western Canada, according to Project H.O.P.E. Coordinator Linda Tucker.

“It was founded by two parents in the Strathmore area. Two of the parents approached our associate superintendent of our school division at the time and said, ‘how can we be creative? What are some opportunities that we can give kids who have special needs?’”

The non-profit organization works with schools in the Wheatland County area, and provides therapy involving music and physical education to children.

“We provide weekly support to kiddos during the school day. Once or twice a week, our therapists will come in during the school day when our kids are most alert and provide that support,” said Tucker, whose primary job is principal of Crowther Memorial Junior High School.

Serving as a principal and the coordinator of Project H.O.P.E. is a natural combination for Tucker, as she said the two often have similar responsibilities. 

“I’m lucky enough to be able to be with students all day long. I get to see first-hand therapies happening in my school and I get to visit the other schools and see the therapy happening for our younger children and our older children as well. So it’s pretty special.”

Recently, a 50/50 fundraiser draw was held to help raise funds for Project H.O.P.E.

“Project H.O.P.E. was able to raise $10,000, and the donations from the community and people all over Alberta will help us. It will help us to continue to offer our therapies, especially as we wrap up this school year,” said Tucker. “Even a little bit helps us tremendously, so the dollars from our 50/50 will go directly into helping to pay for our therapies.”

According to Tucker, the biggest challenge for the organization is funding, since they rely solely on community support and government grants.

“In the community of Strathmore and the surrounding area, we have so many members in this wonderful community and beyond that support the work that we’re doing,” said Tucker. “There’s always children and youth that need support, and those numbers are not diminishing, they’re increasing.”

For Tucker, the ultimate goals of Project H.O.P.E. include providing more support and longevity. 

“Maybe we could bring in another type of therapy, maybe an art therapist. To extend that, I think the other vision would be awareness. For our community and beyond to have awareness of what the project is, and what it does, so that it continues for well beyond the time that I’m on, so that this is a long serving, sustainable project that serves even more children.”