Funding is building block for literacy programs
By Erin Perkins
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is pleased to know that their dozens of programs and 16 communities it serves will continue this year after receiving news about an injection of cash from the province.
Last week the B.C. Government announced CBAL will be receiving $40,000 through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP). The $40,000 is part of a $129,750 investment to support four projects in the Southern Interior this year.
“CBAL is very grateful for CALP funding,” said Margaret Sutherland, regional program coordinator for West Kootenay Boundary from her Castelgar office. “CALP funding is essential building blocks (for our programs) and we need that government funding.”
CBAL has been receiving funding for their adult literacy programs since 1990 through various government programs. While the amount may seem small for such a large region and multiple programs, it is one of many funding streams CBAL relies on.
Projects funded under CALP receive up to $40,000 each to provide instruction and support to adult learners in everything from basic literacy to high school completion. CBAL offers 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.
“Helping adults improve their literacy skills is a vital component of the BC Jobs Plan,” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater in a press release. “Programs like this one and others being funded province-wide will help many people obtain good family-supporting jobs.”
This money will be used throughout the Selkirk College region — which includes eight communities like Grand Forks — with adult learning initiatives. One such initiative that will benefit is the Community Learning Place hosted in the Grand Forks and District Public Library.
Every Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. adults can get free help learning basic computer skills, reading and writing, math, English language, test preperation, citizenship and the community and with skills upgrading.
CBAL is now on Facebook (www.facebook.com). Search for them under Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy to get the latest news on their programs and services.
