Newsflash The CPR Empress, a 1930's-era steam engine, will rumble into London on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 to promote Breakfast for Learning. From 5 - 9 pm on the tracks near Central and Elizabeth, families can view a piece of Canadian railroad history, learn the importance of healthy eating habits and enjoy fun and games for the whole family. This event is being coordinated by Breakfast for Learning, CPR, and the Children's Nutrition Network. Voices Do you have something to say? E-mail it to info@investinginchildren.on.ca and we'll include your thoughts in next month's Voices section. Surfin' Safari This month, we shine the spotlight on a new information source in London, MyCommunityInfo.ca. MyCommunityInfo.ca provides access to community and government information in the City of London and Middlesex County. through a website and service desks located throughout the region. Service in Oxford County is limited to Internet resources. MyCommunityInfo.ca is sponsored by the County of Middlesex, the City of London and the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics Recently released 2001 Census data from Statistics Canada also dealt with religion in Canada In 2001, 7 out of every ten people identified themselves as Catholic or Protestant, thought neither grew as rapidly as other faiths. In fact, the Protestant membership fell by 8.2% in the past decade. The largest increases were shown amongst Muslims and Christians who were not classified elsewhere.   2000 # % Change from 1991 Roman Catholic 12,793,125 43.2 +4.8% Protestant 8,654,845 29.2 -8.2% Christian Orthodox 479,620 1.6 +23.8% Christian 780,450 2.6 +121.1% Muslim 579,640 2.0 +128.9% Jewish 329,995 1.1 +3.7% Buddhist 300,345 1.0 +83.8% Hindu 297,200 1.0 +89.3% Sikh 278,415 0.9 +88.8% No religion 4,796,325 16.2 +43.9% Book Review Contest Students in the Kids Count Homework Clubs are taking part in an exciting new contest. Each month, the students can write a book review, with the best review receiving a Chapters gift certificate. This month's winning book review is by Amy Isbister of Bishop Townsend. She reviewed Jo's Triumph by Nikki Tate. Amy's says of this tale of a young girl who dresses like a boy and rides with the Pony express "it was good but I have read better ones than this." Back Issues Did you miss an issue of Come Together? Visit the E-mailer Archives to catch up! Subscription Info If this was forwarded to you and you would like to become a subscriber of Investing in Children's monthly E-mailer, please send an e-mail message to info@investinginchildren.on.ca, and write SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. To unsubscribe from the E-mailer, please send an e-mail to info@investinginchildren.on.ca and write UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Contact Us Investing In Children 795 Wonderland Rd. S., Suite 103 London, ON  N6K 3C2 phone: 519-433-8996   fax: 519-433-6698 www.investinginchildren.on.ca info@investinginchildren.on.ca Copyright 2002 Investing in Children. All Rights Reserved The E-mailer is best viewed at 1024x768 resolution.

"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -Thomas H. Huxley Welcome Welcome to the June issue of Come Together, Investing in Children's monthly e-mailer. This month, we look at the role that music can play in education, keys to creating safer communities and changes in family finances from the 2001 Census. June is a big month for special events, so look in the E-mailer for information on the CPR Empress coming to town, a concert to celebrate Neighbourhood Watch, and Fun at the Frog, Investing in Children's Summer Celebration. In future issues, we are striving to feature more articles written by different members of the community. If there's a subject you are passionate about and would like to write about for Come Together, we are seeking submissions between 300-750 words and you can include links to other resources. Please contact Greg Picken at info@investinginchildren.on.ca if you would like to contribute to the e-mailer. We're always interested in your feedback. If you have any ideas, concerns or suggestions, please e-mail them to info@investinginchildren.on.ca What the world needs now is drums, sweet drums Even the most informal involvement in music education can be a vehicle for school aged children to develop social and academic skills including increased motor skill development, improved academic performance, better temporal-spatial manipulation ability, increased self-esteem, greater appreciation of the value of teamwork, a sense of recognition by the community, achievement and a means of self-expression [from Global Education in Music (http://www.get-m.org/whyarts.html)]. Global Education Through Music, a San Diego based organization devoted to the promotion of the arts tells us that the youth involved in its arts programs are drawn by the excitement of: creative and artistic expression, recognition for performances, exhibitions or public art works, learning new job skills, and using the arts to communicate difficult thoughts and emotions. (http://www.get-m.org/whyarts.html) How else can music benefit children? Click here. Safe Communities Neighbourhood Watch to hold celebration concert in Victoria Park When you think about your neighbourhood do you think that it is a safe place for your children? Would you be happy letting children in your care roam freely around your street? Play in the park by themselves, cycle, or walk without adult supervision? Do you worry about fast cars, littered paths, overhanging shrubbery, dodgy roads or stranger danger? Prevention is the most powerful tool in the fight against unsafe neighbourhoods and becomes even more effective when people in the community work together. There are three important ways for communities to safeguard themselves: raising awareness of dangers in the neighbourhood, uniting residents in caring for the community and providing safe, skill-building opportunities for children. How can you make your community safer? Click here to find out. Census 2001: Changes in Family Finances The most recent release of 2001 census information has shed new light on the state of family finances over the past two decades, and the news is mixed. The median income for all Canadian families remained virtually unchanged between 1990 and 2000. The median income in 2000 was $55,016, slightly higher than 1990’s figure of $54,560. However, while families at the top end of the income scale showed substantial gains, the bottom half of all families show little or no improvement in the 1990’s. The 1990’s was a decade characterized by significant financial prosperity and a high-flying economy before coming to a thundering halt with the implosion of the high-tech sector, accounting scandals and general financial turmoil. While the economic boom may have benefited many at the top end, it left the bottom half of the scale largely unaffected. Learn more about Canada's families. Click here. Investing in Children invites you to join us for our first annual Summer Celebration on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at the Barking Frog. All proceeds will go to support Investing in Children's neighbourhood arts programs. The evening will include a buffet station dinner, entertainment by Bandaloni, games, a silent auction and door prizes. Tickets are $50 each; guests will receive a $25 charitable receipt. To order tickets, or for further information, please contact Heather Cousins at (519) 433-8996 ext 224.