Community-based adult literacy programs in the Okanagan are giving people the reading, writing, math and computer skills needed to manage personal finances, join in community activities and help their children with their homework.

“Supporting adult literacy programs that are delivered in the community gives people the confidence and skills to thrive,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “We know that many adults have some difficulty with daily living tasks like calculating medicine dosages or reading the newspaper. That’s why we’re funding community literacy programs in communities around the province including Kelowna.”

The Province is providing $67,043 this year to Okanagan College to support four community adult literacy program partners. The partners are:

• Project Literacy Kelowna Society: $11,765
• Revelstoke Family Literacy Program: $4,943
• Volunteer literacy tutoring program in Revelstoke: $25,535
• South Okanagan Community Literacy Program: $24,800

Okanagan College works with community literacy providers to connect adult learners with the skills they need to build a strong future for themselves, their families and their community. Literacy providers and post-secondary institutions collaborate to support improved outcomes and encourage transition from programs delivered in the community to post-secondary studies.

“Community adult literacy programs help students gain skills and confidence in reading for everyday life, for pursuing employment or for establishing a pathway to further education and training,” said Andrew Hay, vice president education at Okanagan College. “Partnership arrangements between the college and community groups, supported by Provincial funding like this, are enabling learners to work with skilled tutors in welcoming and convenient environments, bringing developmental adult education into communities across the region.”

Available literacy programs include one-on-one tutoring and small group training for adult learners, often delivered by volunteers. Smaller, community-based literacy programs are well situated to meet the educational needs of adult learners.

A total of $2.4 million for 101 community adult literacy programs will help adult learners in 75 communities in 2018-19.

The government’s support of community-based literacy programs is part of its commitment to connect people with the education and training they need to succeed. On Aug. 8, 2017, the Province also made adult upgrading and English language learning programs in B.C. tuition-free.

Quick Facts:

• More than 700,000 adults in B.C. have significant challenges with literacy.
• 45% of adults in B.C. have some difficulty with daily living tasks due to limited literacy skills. Literacy challenges can include difficulty understanding newspapers, reading health information and following instruction manuals.
• 52% of adults in B.C. have difficulty in accomplishing some daily living tasks due to limited numeracy skills. Numeracy challenges can include difficulty calculating interest on a car loan, using information on a graph or calculating medicine dosage.