The South Burnaby Neighbourhood House is looking for adults who need help reading and writing to take part in a new literacy program.
"Literacy is a really important area of concern," said Antonia Beck, executive director of the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House. "There's a direct relationship between poverty and literacy."
The "community adult literacy program" matches trained, volunteer tutors with students, who get individualized help learning to read and write.
Volunteers are now undergoing a five-week training program, and the tutoring will likely start in March. All adults who need to improve their literacy skills are welcome, whether they are learning to read and write for the first time or they are new to Canada.
"I think finding the learners is going to be trickier," said Beck. The program is free, and the provincial government is providing nearly $40,000 in funding. The South Burnaby Neighbourhood House is partnering with Douglas College, which already runs a similar program for its students. Douglas College faculty helped by providing training for the volunteers.
Local MLA Harry Bloy lauded the program in a press release.
"A very important aspect of this type of program is how much it empowers the learners who benefit from it," he said. "They're not just acquiring an invaluable skill, they are increasing their confidence and sense of self-worth."
If you know an adult who could benefit from the program, call the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House at 604-431-0400 and ask for Rajeeta.
