The Campbell River Literacy Association has received a boost in provincial funding this year for its Community Adult Literacy Program.
“The government likes the direction we’re heading,” said Sheery Bujold, the CALP coordinator. “We’re growing. Our numbers are quite high, which is great for us, but it means there are a lot of people with literacy issues.”
The local program will receive $40,000 – the maximum available funding – this year, which represents an increase of $11,000. This funding covers the cost of the program, Bujold said, and allows the association to deliver its services free of charge, and now, to expand its programs.
The CALP serves to help people like Mervin Monks, who has worked in construction for many years and wants to get a trade certificate in carpentry. The Campbell River Literacy Association gave Monks the help he needed in math to be able to successfully pass the math assessment test required to enter the carpentry foundation program at North Island College.
“I worked very hard to be here doing the carpentry foundation program at North Island College in Port Alberni,” Monks said. “I had a tutor, Sheridan, at the Campbell River Literacy Association who helped me with my math, and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here.”
The provincial government is funding 72 adult literacy projects this year, spending $2.4 million on programs to help adult learners learn to read or improve their reading, writing or math skills.
The Campbell River Literacy Association provides adult literacy programs at Robron Centre. The classroom is open from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
The additional funding will allow the centre to open on Thursday evenings, Bujold said.
Tutors work with individuals one-on-one or in small groups during these times.
The program also hopes to add more field trips this year.