b'A Little Braver EverydayOneChilds Path from Timid toThrivingWhen Will first joined Shared Beginnings in Fall 2024 with his nanny,Alycia, and his beloved stuffed animal, Awoo, he was preparing for abig milestonestarting Kindergarten. At their very first visit, Alyciashared that Will was very shy, and they hoped that being part of theShared Beginnings program would help him to connect with otherchildren and build confidence.At the beginning, Will was anxious and hesitant, often avoiding eyecontact and speaking only with his nanny. But with patience and care,program facilitators leaned into Wills passionslike trucks and boatscreating a safe, welcoming space where he could feel comfortable.Slowly but surely, Will began to blossom.Through weekly visits to both the Beacock and Stoney Creek SharedBeginnings locations, Wills confidence grew alongside his social andliteracy skills. Soon, he was seeking out facilitators and asking otherchildren to play with him. He worked hard on his fine motor skills; likeholding a pencil, using glue, and focusing on craft projects.Improvements in his writing, spelling, and counting soon followed.As Wills comfort level grew, so too did his sense of belonging. He andAlycia built friendships with other families and began recognizingfamiliar faces at community playgroups. Now, with his older sister, Willhas transitioned into LUSOs registered literacy programs where hisconfidence, literacy comprehension, and social skills are continuing togrow. Wills journey shows how creating a supportive and engagingenvironment helps children not only prepare for the school transition,but also builds the foundation of lifelong learning for children to thrive.LUSO Community Services 102024-25 Impact Report'