LANGLEY – New Democrat MLA Andrew Mercier says funding boosts to community-based Indigenous, adult and family literacy programs will help people gain skills in reading, writing, math, and digital literacy.

“Literacy and numeracy can be a huge barrier for adults in completing tasks in their everyday lives and in fully participating in time with their friends and families,” said Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley. “Our government knows how important it is to invest in adult literacy programs to ensure that all British Columbians have the tools they need to thrive.”

In Langley, this year’s funding will support the Community One on One Learning for Adults Program led by the Encompass Support Services Society.

The New Democrat government is investing $2.9 million in the Community Adult Literacy Program which includes a one-time investment for 2021-22. This support will fund 97 programs, delivered by 66 organizations in 128 communities throughout the province.

Community based Indigenous, adult and family literacy programs are provided free of charge and delivered by community organizations, Indigenous-led organizations, and public-post secondary institutions. Literacy programming typically includes one-on-one tutoring and small-group instruction which supports all levels of literacy. In 2020, many programs shifted to online service delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AEST0046-001302