Frequently Asked Questions
Programs
Vancouver Urban Ministries currently works with two public schools in East Vancouver. At these schools we offer specialized tutoring and music lessons.
To learn more about our specific community check out our About Us page
The Orton-Gillingham Approach combines multi-sensory techniques along with the structure of the English language. Items taught include: phonemes and morphemes (prefixes, suffixes, and roots), common spelling rules and multi-sensory education. Three learning pathways (auditory, kinesthetic, and visual) are used. This approach was developed for students with dyslexia but can be beneficial for all English language learners- especially those struggling with reading and writing.
In our community this type of tutoring can be expensive, it costs between $40-$70 a session, and is therefore unaffordable for our parents. Our specialized tutoring program allows parents to access this specialized tutoring free of charge.
Do you want to help with the specialized tutoring program? Volunteer or become an Opportunity Maker today!
We have two types of tutors.
Some of our tutors are certified Orton-Gillingham tutors who have had several of years of experience working with children with learning challenges in our school system. In our program, these tutors work with some of our most vulnerable children.
Other tutors that work with us receive in-house training in the Orton-Gillingham approach, but are not certified. Every semester we offer 20 hours of training for our volunteers. Training is performed by certified Orton-Gillingham tutors and/or trainers.
This training is ideal if you are interested in working with students with learning differences.
Go to our Volunteer Page if you would to volunteer today!
If you are interested in this training, and this volunteer experience, please check out our volunteer page and sign up today!
Donations & Financials
We get our funding from a variety of sources, including individual donors, businesses, churches, small groups and grants.
For our complete financial information, you're welcome to check out our CRA page (clicking link will open a new tab on your browser).
We strive to provide professional, high quality programs for children in our community. Between 80%-90% of our funds go towards program costs.
For our complete financial information, you're welcome to check out our CRA page (clicking link will open a new tab on your browser).
Yes. Vancouver Urban Ministries is a registered charity and issues tax receipts for financial gifts.
Online:
If you have given online via CanadaHelps you should receive a tax receipt immediately through CanadaHelps.
Post:
If you have donated through the post via cheque or cash you will be issued a tax receipt in February. Please contact us at info@myvum.ca if you need a tax receipt issued immediately.
American Donors:
If you are a US donor and would like to receive an income tax receipt, please send a check or money order to:
D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund
P.O. Box 1578, North Wales, PA, 19454
Please make your check or money order payable to “DMSMF”, and include a separate note to designate it to “#421 VUM”.
Yes!
You are welcome to donate in-kind gifts of school supplies, which are needed for our Specialized Tutoring Program. We also usually need craft supplies, smalls gifts and clothes, which we use for Community Events.
In the Eagle Youth Music School we sometimes need donations of instruments and low-level piano books.
If you would like to donate any In Kind gifts please contact info@myvum.ca.
Volunteering & Outreach
Yes! We would love to do a presentation for your church group- or any other group for that matter!
If you're interested in us coming to your church please contact info@myvum.ca. We'd love to hear from you!
Yes, we do have group volunteer opportunities! Please check out our volunteer page under "Community Events" and fill out an application form! We would love to work with you.