Literacy awareness events and videos

Red Deer Public Library Adult Literacy Program

The Red Deer Public Library Adult Literacy Program has served English language and adult literacy learners in the community for over 30 years. The adult literacy program is currently providing learning opportunities to approximately 360 adult foundational learners through volunteer tutoring. With 215 tutors, the Adult Literacy Program has the largest volunteer pool in the region.

Staff and volunteer tutors are committed to helping adult learners:

• improve their reading and writing skills
• become more confident
• improve their lives

Learners in this program are able to continue in further learning and/or gaining meaningful employment. The adult literacy program has responded to the needs of the community by adapting its programs to meet Syrian refugees and other newcomers learning needs.

In addition to breaking down barriers to learning, the adult literacy program offers newcomers the opportunity that facilitate to participate in the larger community. By connecting learners to other service organizations and residents, the program is a community leader that provides adult literacy learners in Red Deer with equal opportunities to learn and join society.

See all of the 2018 award winners.

The Lethbridge Public Library - Read on Adult Literacy Program

The Lethbridge Public Library has provided family and adult literacy programs for over 30 years. The organization’s capacity and ability to respond to current community literacy and foundational learning needs is reflected in its program growth.

During the past 13 years, through its volunteer-supported Read On Adult Literacy Program, many adult learners have increased their literacy and essential skills levels, and have continued on to post-secondary learning.

To connect with and better serve First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples living in Lethbridge and area, the library engaged in partnerships with a number of organizations, including Indigenous partners, to develop and deliver three Indigenous programs designed to improve literacy skills and celebrate Indigenous:

• traditions
• language
• culture

See all of the 2017 award winners.

Blue Quills Literacy Centre at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills

The Blue Quills Literacy Centre, housed at the University nuhelot’jne thaiyots’j nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills on the Blue Quills First Nations Reserve in northeastern Alberta, provides unique programs and services that are embedded in the traditional worldviews of its seven governing Nations.

The Literacy Centre demonstrates outstanding:

• achievement
• innovation
• excellence in literacy and essential skills

The Blue Quills team works to increase literacy and essential skills in response to community needs. The team:

• travels to deliver literacy and foundational learning off campus
• offers tutorial and academic support
• provides essential skills workshops and summer literacy camps
• partners with community or other First Nations Colleges
• contributes a local voice to national initiatives, such as the National Aboriginal Literacy Strategy

See all of the 2016 award winners.

Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association (TDCALA)

For 43 years, the Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association has been providing innovative programs in literacy and essential skills training.

In the last 15 years, Alberta’s population has changed and so has the association’s programming. Working collaboratively, the association has made a positive impacted on the community by providing family and adult literacy programs and work foundations.

They also provide English as Second Language (ESL) training, including:

• an ESL drop-in centre
• one-on-one tutoring
• a families learning together program

The association does its best to provide seamless pathways to learning, exemplifying:

• outstanding achievement
• innovative practice
• excellence in literacy

See all of the 2015 award winners.

Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

For 32 years, the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association have been helping to improve the lives of immigrant and refugee:

• women
• girls
• their families

Association programming is increasing their client’s literacy and job skills. Recent immigrants face many barriers to success, and the association strives to assist individuals in breaking through such barriers.

Working collaboratively with community partners, the association offers 36 community-based programs and projects that use a holistic approach to service delivery in areas, including:

• settlement and integration
• literacy and language training
• employment support and bridging programs
• civic engagement
• community development

Clients benefit from customized programming, and participant success rates are as high as 70-80 per cent. The association exemplifies:

• outstanding achievement
• innovative practice
• excellence in literacy

See all of the 2014 award winners.