A Story Bigger Than Books: BlueSky’s Impact in Regina Classrooms

For several years, BlueSky partnered with United Way Regina to launch an initiative aimed at addressing a critical gap, which is access to books in under-resourced schools. United Way maintains that 75% of students who struggle with reading in Grade 3 never fully catch up, making them four times more likely to not graduate on time. BlueSky knew early on that one of the strongest predictors of educational success is access to books, and we made it a mission to level the playing field for children regardless of financial barriers.

“When I first moved to Canada, I was probably about the same age as the Grade 1 students. Reading was really hard for me, so I understand the struggle.”

- Sahar Galbraith, Blue Sky Financial Planning Staff

The goal was simple yet powerful, help build a library directly in each classroom so students could easily access books without needing to leave the room.

That first classroom library was such a success and we believed that it sparked a much larger initiative, which evolved into a core component of United Way Regina’s early childhood reading campaign. This ultimately grew into the city-wide event now known as Read Across Regina Day.

Since 2015, BlueSky has helped the United Way build 10 classroom libraries across Regina, filled with over 3,300 books for students to enjoy. These libraries are stocked with books that reflect a wide range of topics, cultures, languages, and interests, ensuring every child can see themselves reflected in the stories they read. These books include everything from science and history to themes of kindness, adventure and of course ideas around money and the importance of savings.

In 2023, BlueSky helped launch a book vending machine program in one of Regina’s 12 priority schools. This exciting addition rewards students who demonstrate improved attendance, acts of kindness, or leadership among their peers. Students receive a token which can be exchanged for a brand-new book from the machine, allowing them to take their book home to add to their own personal libraries, building a bridge between school and home learning.

One of the most emotional moments came during one of these visits, when a student said:

“This is the first book I’ve ever had for my home.”

We believe this moment showed the true important work being done, providing more than just books, it is a sense of belonging, confidence, and opportunity.

Over the years, BlueSky has ensured that students not only learn to read but are empowered to read to learn creating a legacy that will impact generations to come.