September 8, 2009
$88,500 to Boost Local Adult Literacy 

PRINCE GEORGE – A $88,500 provincial government investment will support free tutoring programs to help adults in Prince George and surrounding communities upgrade their education or improve their English and literacy skills.

"Enhancing literacy levels is about improving lives," says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. "These programs target people who are most at risk in not being able to succeed in their employment and personal goals due to the barriers of illiteracy."

“The Community Adult Literacy Program and all its amazing volunteers make a dramatic difference in so many lives, not to mention the social and economic benefits for the community as a whole that come with improved literacy rates,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “Thank you to all the tutors who will continue the important work that they are doing through the grants provided for these programs.”

Four local literacy community groups will share the funding in partnership with the College of New Calendonia. These are part of 67 programs the province is funding through the $2.4 million Community Adult Literacy Program, which is delivered through partnerships between community groups and B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions.

Learning Circle Literacy Program, Prince George: $39,000 
Community Partner:  Prince George Native Friendship Centre 
Supports and assists aboriginal learners who are pre-grade 4 to 6 with literacy and numeracy skills to transition them from one-on-one and small group tutoring with trained volunteer tutors to adult upgrading classes. Supports 160 learners and 12 volunteer tutors.

Valemount Adult Literacy, Valemount: $23,500
Community Partner:  Valemount Learning Society 
Provides full range of literacy services and supports, including: one-on-one tutoring, GED test preparation, support for secondary school completion, computer access and literacy, advocacy for literacy clients trying to access other community services, and literacy awareness events. Supports 100 learners with 10 tutors.

McBride Adult Literacy Program, McBride: $18,000
Community Partner:  Robson Valley Home Literacy Society
Provides individual support and counseling, group work, and community education and outreach to address literacy needs of the community. Offers one-on-one tutoring, GED support, literacy-related workshops, and community awareness activities. Supports 50 learners and 7 volunteer tutors.

Family Literacy Program, Valemount: $8000 
Community Partner:  Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 
Family literacy programs for parents of preschool and school age children, including: Parents Reading, Children Succeeding, Play and Learn, Making Connections, Community Book Drive and After School Homework Club.
Supports 30 learners and 3 volunteer tutors.

Community Adult Literacy Program (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.

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