| September 8, 2009 PROVINCIAL FUNDING BOOSTS ADULT LITERACY IN SEA TO SKY REGION SQUAMISH – An $88,000 investment by the provincial government will support free tutoring programs to help adults throughout the corridor improve their literacy skills, announced West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “These programs are vital to the social and economic development of our communities and that is why providing funds for education programs continues to be a priority, even during these difficult economic times,” says McIntyre. “I’m pleased to see our government and local community organizations working together to provide new opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents.” The Squamish Volunteer Centre Society (Hotspot) in partnership with Capilano University will receive $39,000 for Making the Grade: Volunteer Literacy Tutor Program, an adult literacy program that uses a community-based volunteer tutor model providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction targeted to adults in the Squamish community who are isolated, face learning barriers and cannot easily attend formal learning programs. The program supports 30 learners and 15 volunteer tutors. Also in Squamish, Communities That Care (CTC) in partnership with Capilano University will receive $32,000 for The Faces Family Literacy Program to help adult family members with preschool and school age children with supports such as childcare, transportation and meals. Parents determine curriculum topics and instruction is through classroom based activities. The program supports 15 learners and 4 volunteer tutors. The Samahquam Band in Mount Currie in partnership with Capilano University will receive $27,000 for the Remote Aboriginal Community Access to Literacy program supplying a Literacy Centre to support aboriginal learners in isolated communities who cannot access or have the appropriate skills for other training programs. The Literacy Centre is open one day a week, along with other organized events, workshops and activities. The program supports 30 learners and 6 volunteer tutors. This is one of 67 programs the province is funding through the $2.4 million Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP), which is delivered through partnerships between community groups and B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions. CALP programs receive up to $40,000 each to provide instruction and support to adult learners in everything from basic literacy to high school completion. Most offer one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers, small group classes and other types of learning tailored to adults, including people living in rural and remote communities, Aboriginal people, young parents and people living in poverty. This year’s Community Adult Literacy Program is expected to benefit close to 7,000 British Columbians. Nearly $1 billion has been invested in literacy and literacy-related initiatives since 2001, which includes over $154 million in new literacy initiatives to support preschool aged children, K-12 students, and adult learners. -30- | |
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