October 25, 2011
Over $1.2 Million Allocated for Community-based Literacy Programs
More than $1.2 million has been allocated to community-based adult literacy organizations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador this year to continue to offer, and enhance, literacy programs to clients.
The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, said today that 11 organizations will receive funding for Adult Basic Education and basic literacy delivery, while four groups will continue to offer Adult Basic Education, Level I, via e-learning. Funding is provided by the Provincial Government and through the federal/provincial Labour Market Agreement.
“As a government, it is important that we support the men and women who work hard, sometimes under difficult circumstances, to further their literacy and learning during their adult years,” said Minister Burke. “They deserve every chance to succeed and the programs offered by these literacy providers are the foundation upon which that success will be built. Providing appropriate support to literacy programs is an important part of our social and economic agenda, and we will continue our efforts to develop an environment which promotes literacy and life-long learning for all our citizens.”
A complete list of grant recipients can be viewed in the backgrounder below.
“Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador commends the Department of Education
for this funding for Adult Basic Education, Level l and one-on-one volunteer
programming,” said Caroline Vaughan, Executive Director of Literacy
Newfoundland and Labrador. “These funds are necessary to help offset the
cost of community programming, and to better equip organizations which are
providing local adult learning opportunities for skills development.”
Since 2004, $48 million has been invested in new initiatives such as increasing the number of sites offering Adult Basic Education and introducing an adult learner scholarship program.
In addition, College of the North Atlantic’s Comprehensive Arts and Science program has been expanded from four sites in 2004 to 10 sites this year, adding an additional 495 seats. This program helps individuals improve their general employability skills, or to attain academic courses or grades required for post-secondary education. Community-based literacy programming has also been enhanced through improvements in the Department of Education's data collection systems, allowing more to be known about learners and their needs.
For more information on adult learning and literacy, visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/adultlearning/index.html.
BACKGROUNDER
2011 Funding Allocated to Literacy Organizations
The following organizations have been allocated funding for Adult Basic Education and basic literacy programming:
| Organization | Location | Funding Amount |
| Baie Verte Economic Development Association | Baie Verte | $60,500 |
| Community Education Network | Stephenville (2) and Cape St. George | $160,700 |
| Rabbittown Learners Program | St. John’s | $119,000 |
| Burin Peninsula Laubach Literacy Council | Creston | $60,500 |
| Employment Preparation Centre | Corner Brook | $56,868 |
| St. John’s Learning Centre | St. John’s | $112,600 |
| Dunfield Community Centre | Corner Brook | $106,760 |
| Bell Island Adult Education Association | Bell Island | $121,000 |
| Stella Burry Community Services | St. John’s | $82,961 |
| Teachers on Wheels | St. John’s | $77,557 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council | Corner Brook | $89,090 |
The following organizations have been offered funding for Adult Basic Education Level I e-learning:
| Organization | Location | Funding Amount |
| Twillingate-New World Island Development Association | Newville | $45,000 |
| Women Interested in Successful Employment (WISE) | Carbonear | $45,000 |
| Community Education Network | Stephenville for the River of Ponds area | $45,000 |
| Labrador Friendship Centre | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $54,324 |
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Media contacts:
| Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Caroline Vaughan Executive Director Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador 709-738-7323 cvaughan@literacynl.com |
2011 10 25 2:35 p.m.