Guildford Park Secondary Seeks Support for Struggling Families

Guildford Park Secondary School in Surrey, Canada, is reaching out for assistance to support struggling families within its diverse community. With students representing an astounding 84 native languages, the school faces unique challenges, particularly as many families deal with the complexities of settling into life in Canada. Principal Marti Player emphasizes the urgent need for resources to help meet basic necessities like food and clothing.

Located in an area with a high population of immigrants and refugees, Guildford Park has seen a significant increase in demand for support services. Many families, while adapting to their new environment, often find themselves in situations of financial hardship. “It’s incredible to see such diversity, but it also means that we have many families reaching out for help with basic needs,” Player said.

This year, the loss of the provincial government’s $20 million student and family affordability fund has exacerbated the situation. The fund previously provided approximately $3.1 million annually to Surrey schools, including Guildford Park. “We used to be able to offer gift cards for groceries, which were a huge help for our community. Now, with that funding gone, we are struggling to meet these needs,” Player explained.

The school is currently relying on external support, specifically from the Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School campaign, which has previously provided vital emergency funds. Last year, the campaign allocated $183,080 to help Surrey schools, with Guildford Park being one of the beneficiaries. Player anticipates using a portion of this year’s funds to address the immediate needs of families, particularly in providing food and winter clothing.

Daily, staff members witness the impact of hunger on students. “Today, we had a student feeling light-headed and unwell. It’s a common occurrence, and we often have to ask, ‘Have you eaten today?’ The answer is frequently no,” Player noted. The school also collaborates with local firefighters to run a breakfast program that serves around 100 children each day.

Player highlighted the living conditions many families endure, often with multiple children sharing small spaces. “Food prices keep rising, and families are struggling,” she said. To meet the needs of students, Guildford Park is seeking $5,000 from the Adopt-A-School campaign to help provide essential supplies.

One student, who asked to remain anonymous, shared her experience of receiving support from Adopt-A-School. Arriving in Canada from Pakistan in 2020, she faced an identity crisis after fleeing her home in Afghanistan. “I had no friends because people there don’t like Afghans. It was shocking,” she recounted. Finding solace in the school’s Poetry Club, she was able to express her feelings creatively, ultimately presenting her work at a Vancouver poetry festival, an opportunity made possible through funding by the Vancouver Sun.

Her poem reflects the struggles of belonging and identity, capturing her journey through various countries. “I carry bits of Afghanistan in my heart… But I never walked through those alleys,” she wrote, illustrating the complexity of her experiences.

The need for financial support is critical, as all donations to the Adopt-A-School campaign go directly to the schools without administrative fees. Donations can be made online at www.vansunkidsfund.ca or by calling 604-813-8673.

Guildford Park Secondary’s call for help underscores the importance of community support in addressing the challenges faced by families in transition. As the school continues to foster a vibrant learning environment, the support from programs like Adopt-A-School remains essential to ensuring that all students have the resources they need to thrive.