Submitted by BC Government Caucus
MCBRIDE – The provincial government is providing $46,494 to regional organizations to provide Robson Valley residents with the literacy skills they need to participate in B.C.’s growing economy.
The organizations are:
-Robson Valley Support Society – $23,367
-Valemount Learning Society – $13,359
-Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy – $9,768
“Many of us cannot imagine what it would be like to be unable to read a prescription, recipe or a story to our grandchildren. But for some adults that is their reality. These grants provide critical resources to organizations that provide programs to improve adult literacy skills,” Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond said. “By improving reading and writing skills, adult learners gain access to a whole new world of possibilities, skills and experiences.”
The grant comes from the $2.4 million government has invested in community adult literacy programs in 75 B.C. communities in 2015-16.
Funding is distributed to non-profit community groups to offer free literacy training that is easily accessible in local places such as schools, Aboriginal friendship centres and community centres. The program is tailored to suit the needs of any adult with low-literacy ability, and is delivered by trained volunteers offering one-to-one tutoring or small-group classes.
Community organizations collaborate with a public post-secondary institution in their region. These partnerships encourage the transition of adult learners from literacy programs to post-secondary studies and/or employment training. The College of New Caledonia is collaborating with the Robson Valley Support Society, the Valemount Learning Society and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
Since 2001, the provincial government has invested more than $25 million in community adult literacy programs, helping approximately 100,000 adults improve their reading, writing and math skills.
For more information about community adult literacy programs, visit: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/literacy/welcome.htm.
