Chilliwack Adult Literacy Programs Get Funding Boost

Tuesday January 10, 2012

BC Gov't News

Liberals Plug Funding Holes

Assortment of Chilliwack adult literacy programs get portions of cash infusion

Released Maqrc Wang, BC Gov't Caucus

dult learners around Chilliwack and the eastern Fraser Valley will get help to improve their literacy and numeracy skills thanks to funding through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP). An investment of $176,282 will support five projects in communities around the region for 2012.

"This funding will greatly support B.C.'s jobs plan by providing training that helps adults adapt to the growing demands of a changing workplace," said Chilliwack MLA John Les in a news release Tuesday.

Why this matters

Projects funded under CALP provide instruction and support to adult learners in everything from basic literacy to high school completion.
Projects focus on the individual goals of learners such as improving their literacy skills in order to enhance the quality of their lives, improve their employment opportunities, further their education and increase their involvement in their families and communities.
Most offer one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers, small group classes and other types of learning tailored to adults, Aboriginal learners, young parents and others in the community in need of support.

Additional information

CALP projects are offered in a variety of settings - schools, non-profit organizations, native friendship and community centres - and are supported by volunteers.
The projects are delivered through partnerships between community groups and B.C.'s public post-secondary institutions.
In all, government is providing $2.4 million to the Community Adult Literacy Program for 2011-12 to support 72 projects around the province - eight more than last year. The program is expected to benefit close to 8,000 British Columbians.
Since 2001, government has invested $18.3 million in CALP, helping more than 70,000 adults learn how to read or improve their reading, writing and numeracy skills.
This program supports the BC Jobs Plan commitment to enhancing access to advanced education, skills and apprenticeship training throughout the province.

Projects being funded:

Community Access to Literacy & Learning-Hope and area (C.A.L.L. Hope)

The Fraser Cascade Literacy Task Initiative

Hope and area

$30,000

CALL Agassiz-Harrison (Community Access to Literacy & Learning)

Agassiz-Harrison Community Services

Agassiz

$36,282

Family Literacy Programs (Central Gateway Family Literacy and Families in Motion)

Chilliwack Community Services

Chilliwack

$40,000
Call-Chilliwack (Community Access to Literacy & Learning)

Chilliwack Learning Community Services

Chilliwack

$40,000
Sto:Lo Community Literacy and Numeracy Initiative

Seabird Island Education

Agassiz

$30,000

Subtotal

$176,282

Since 2001, the Province has invested about $1.4 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives for British Columbia. Funding for literacy in B.C. has included:

$18.3 million for the Community Adult Literacy Program
$43 million for StrongStart BC programs
$24 million for Ready, Set Learn since 2004-05
$25 million for innovation grants to improve literacy for students who struggle with these skills