OCCA Communities Association is proud to deliver School’s Out at Pearson Road Elementary School, an after-school enrichment program made possible entirely through the generous support of United Way BC.
Thanks to this funding, 21 children are able to participate in safe, structured after-school programming that supports their growth, confidence, and sense of connection. Each session provides nutritional snacks and a variety of engaging activities that promote physical wellness, learning, and positive social interaction in a supportive environment.
United Way BC staff members Trisha Dulku and Jeanne Legua visit the School’s Out program—hosted by OCCA and funded by United Way BC—inside the gym at Pearson Road Elementary School, Kelowna
Launched in September 2025 in partnership with Central Okanagan School District #23 and Pearson Road Elementary School, the program has already become a highlight of the week for many students who, instead of heading home at 2:30 PM, get excited and ready to jump into a mix of physical activity, creativity, literacy-building, and hands-on learning.
The class integrates STEM components—including activities with an AI robot—with traditional hands-on craft activities to create a well-rounded learning experience. Each session offers engaging, themed hands-on projects that align with seasonal events such as Thanksgiving, Diwali, and Halloween, helping children explore creativity, develop new skills, and build cultural awareness.
After learning the strategic Game of Go, the students have grown in confidence – even challenging United Way BC’s Trisha Dulku to a game on a recent site visit
In addition to all of this, they have also learned about the Environmental 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and how to protect the environment through waste management. They were later guided in completing an art project by way of recycling 4-litre milk jugs.
In November, the program introduced weekly Kids Yoga sessions led by a certified instructor. Children learned a variety of poses and movement sequences, and many began confidently demonstrating these exercises for their peers. A highlight of the month was creating their own yoga eye pillows, used during quiet relaxation at the end of each class.
Students stretching in different poses during our Yoga class led by professional Yoga Instructor.
Students enjoying a craft session, creating Yoga eye pillows for decompression use.
With continued United Way BC support, the program is preparing for festive December activities leading into the holiday break.
School’s Out strengthens social connection, encourages new friendships, and offers children in a diverse school community a fun and supportive space to learn and grow.
Learn more about how United Way BC helps kids: Our Work | United Way British Columbia.
For more information about the program, please contact us at info@occabc.ca or Pearson Road Elementary School.
About OCCA Communities Association:
The OCCA Communities Association is a registered charity and non-profit umbrella organization serving multicultural communities across the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country, with our region spanning nearly 100 kilometres from Peachland to Vernon. We offer services to everyone, and our virtual programs reach rural areas across the Okanagan, committing to fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and equitable society where immigrants, refugees, and equity-deserving groups can thrive and meaningfully contribute to building a sustainable community.
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
