Literacy awareness events and resources

County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council

The County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council (CLCLC) has provided adult literacy programs to the region since 2015. Staffed by only two people, Melanie Patenaude and Roxanne Samoleski, CLCLC is a key learning organization in the area, particularly in the provision of English Language Learning (ELL). Patenaude and Samoleski work collaboratively with the community to support adult learners in overcoming barriers to learning. CLCLC works with newcomers and Low German Mennonites to learn English, navigate Canadian society, and engage with the larger community. Employers recognize the value of helping their non-English speaking employees learn English, in one case paying Spanish-speaking staff to attend ELL classes. CLCLC exemplifies inclusion through its approach to strengthening communities by innovative, collaborative, ELL and literacy programming.

See all of the 2024 award winners across Canada.

Society of Brooks Community Adult Learning Council

The Society of Brooks Community Adult Learning Council (SBCALC) has provided adult literacy programs in its community for over 40 years. SBCALC offers language training and employment training that assists adult learners including newcomers to acquire English Language Learning skills, marketable labour skills and knowledge to facilitate their participation in the community. SBCALC also offers many other programs that have improved the literacy, foundational learning, and essential skills of adult learners. SBCALC has constantly promoted and raised awareness about literacy and foundational learning needs in its community. SBCALC is committed to reducing barriers so that learners can access programs and services. SBCALC partners with other community organizations in order to provide the best service to learners in its community. SBCALC has demonstrated itself to be a community leader that promotes inclusivity in society for adult learners in Brooks.

See all of the 2023 award winners across Canada.

Prospect Human Services Society

Operating in Calgary for over 20 years, Prospect Human Services offers language training, employment training, and supports new immigrants and people with homelessness, disability and mental health condition or challenge. Prospect Human Services Society also offers programs that have made a positive impact on the literacy, foundational learning and essential skills of adult learners. Prospect Human Services Society has consistently raised awareness about literacy and foundational learning in its community and served as a collaborative and resourceful information centre. Prospect Human Services Society is committed to reduce barriers and facilitate learners to access program and services, and it partners with other community organizations to better address learner needs in the community.

See all of the 2022 award winners across Canada.

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

Operating in Calgary since 1988, The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) offers language training, employment training, and settlement assistance. TIES also offers many programs that have made a positive impact on the literacy, foundational learning, and essential skills of adult learners. TIES has consistently raised awareness about literacy and foundational learning in its community and serves as a collaborative hub and information centre. TIES is committed to reducing barriers so that learners can access programs and services, and it partners with other community organizations in order to provide the best service to learners in their community.

See all of the 2021 award winners.

Portage College – Community Adult Learning Programs

Portage College’s Community Adult Learning Programs (CALPs) offer learner-centred foundational learning programs that allow adult Albertans to develop the necessary skills for employment and increased quality of life. The programs serve the communities of Bonnyville, St. Paul, Elk Point, Frog Lake First Nation, Cold Lake First Nation, White Lake/Goodfish First Nation and Kehewin Cree Nation. Portage College’s CALPs work closely with community leaders and partner agencies to identify and meet learning needs in ways that are accommodating and respectful of each learner.

P.A.L.S – Project Adult Literacy Society

Since 1979, the Project Adult Literacy Society (P.A.L.S.) has brought together adult learners and volunteer tutors to form a foundational learning community in Edmonton. P.A.L.S. supports adult learners in reading, writing, math, English language and digital skills. The impact of P.A.L.S.’ work is far-reaching as they empower students to improve daily living, build social support networks and reach further learning and employment goals.

As a strong advocate for adult literacy, P.A.L.S. actively engages with community partners, local businesses, post-secondary institutions and policy makers to raise awareness for the importance and potential of literacy to change lives.

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 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.