If you are a journalist or blogger looking for story ideas, a quote, or facts about literacy, we would love to help you. Literacy BC staff are experts in adult literacy. We can help you understand local, provincial and national literacy issues, and provide quotes and adidtional contacts. For any media inquiries, please email Melinda Johnston at mjohnston@literacy.bc.ca or call 604-684-0624 ext. 107.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Literacy BC Celebrates International Adult Learner’s Week

Vancouver, BC, April 1, 2011— April 2 to 9 is International Adult Learners Week. UNESCO started this annual event in 2000 as a way to celebrate adult learners and lifelong learning. Here in British Columbia, Literacy BC is celebrating the achievements of Community Adult Literacy Programs, which offer a unique adult learning service to thousands of British Columbians each year.

Across BC, there are 67 Community Adult Literacy Programs (CALPS). These programs are funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education. CALP programs are community-based programs that offer learner-centered programs in a non-institutional context. CALPs offer services ranging from small-group ESL classes, to sitting down one-on-one to help a senior fill out the forms for the guaranteed income supplement. Because they are small and community-based, CALPs can be very flexible in offering adult learners the kind of personalized assistance they need. 

Across BC, CALPs serve approximately 1,800 core learners each year, and an additional 1,450 drop-in learners, who access help for a specific need, such as filling out a job application or understanding a rental agreement. Approximately 1,600 British Columbians volunteer with literacy programs.

“Community literacy programs are a vital element in community development,” says Literacy BC executive director Judy Cavanagh. “Increasing literacy improves individual health, job prospects and well-being. Communities benefit from a more productive work force, low crime rates and increased civic engagement. No other investment improves society across as many measures as an investment in literacy. CALPs are a vital element of adult learning in this province.”

Literacy BC offers support to CALPs, including professional development opportunities and an extensive resource library. For learners, Literacy BC offers the BC Literacy Directory, an online database of various literacy programs across British Columbia. The BC Literacy Directory is available at www.literacybc.ca/directory.  The BC Literacy Directory is also as great place for people who are interested in volunteering in literacy to find an organization to volunteer with.

About International Adult Literacy Week: International Adult Learners’ Week (IALW) was launched by UNESCO on September 8, 2000. The Week celebrates adult learners across the country and the joy of learning throughout life. For more information, visit: http://www.unesco.ca/en/activity/education/AdultLearners.aspx

About Literacy BC: Literacy BC, a provincial not-for-profit organization, has been promoting and supporting literacy and lifelong learning in British Columbia since 1990 by: supporting adult learners and their families; promoting innovation in practice; raising public awareness; building capacity; and partnering in policy development. To learn more about Literacy BC, visit http://www.literacybc.ca. 

Media Contact
Melinda Johnston, Communications Manager, Literacy BC: mjohnston@literacybc.ca or 604-684-0624 ext. 107

For Immediate Release

No need to read between the lines: Family Literacy Day is almost here

Jan. 18, 2011, Vancouver, BC – With just nine days to go, families all across B.C. are dusting off their bookmarks this week in preparation for Family Literacy Day. And the province’s two literacy organizations – Literacy BC and 2010 Legacies Now – want to help make sure everybody knows about all the opportunities to join in.

Communities from all across British Columbia will come together during the week of Jan. 27, 2011 for a day of all-age literacy celebration. With the theme “Play for Literacy,” highlights include a Scrabble tournament in Cranbrook and Captain Thunderpants in Courtenay.

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September 3, 2010: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8 is International Literacy Day

As children go back to school and workplaces return to normal after summer holidays, September brings renewed energy and a determination to get down to business. It is appropriate, then, that September 8 is International Literacy Day. Literacy—reading, writing, and strategies for learning— is a foundational skill. With literacy comes opportunity and productivity. In fact, according to a recent Ipsos Reid poll, 90% of Canadians agree that literacy training is critical to improving job prospects for Canadians.

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July 15, 2010: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 20th Annual PGI Raises $59,000 to Support Literacy in British Columbia

Vancouver, BC, July 15, 2010 - On July 13, 2010, 120 golfers gathered at University Golf Club in Vancouver for the 20th Annual Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy BC, and the presentation of the annual Learner Achievement Tribute Award to Shawn Richards.

During a beautiful day on the course, the PGI raised $59,000, bringing the twenty-year total raised by the PGI to over one million dollars to help provide literacy services to British Columbians. This year's PGI was dedicated to Linda Mitchell, who passed away on June 25, 2010. Linda Mitchell founded Literacy BC in 1990, and was a champion of literacy.

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January 18, 2009: Literacy BC Celebrates Family Literacy Day

September 3, 2009: International Literacy Day 2009

For additional information, please contact Melinda Johnston, Communications Manager, at 604-684-0624 ext. 107, or mjohnston@literacy.bc.ca.