September 8, 2009
Provincial Funding Boosts Adult Literacy in Langley
LANGLEY – A $21,580 investment by the provincial government will support a free tutoring program to help Langley adults improve their English and literacy skills, announced Langley MLA Mary Polak and Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman.
“I’m pleased to help announce this investment in both learning and volunteerism in Langley,” says Polak. “Through the hard work of volunteers and our government’s investment in vital services, we are ensuring education is supported as an integral part of the future success of our communities.”
“The Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services Society is vital to the social and community development of our area,” says Coleman. “This is a great demonstration of our province and community organizations working together to provide new opportunities and improve the quality of life for our Langley residents with a low-level of literacy.”
The Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services Society will receive this funding in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to support the Langley Volunteer Tutor and Outreach Program. This adult literacy program uses a community-based volunteer tutor model, providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction to low level literacy learners. The course supports 25 learners and 15 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.
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