NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson says a funding boost to community-based Indigenous, adult and family literacy programs will help people gain skills in reading, writing, math and digital literacy.

“Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s support for adult learners, families, and Indigenous peoples’ literacy goals is a huge asset for Nanaimo,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “I am so glad we can help support their innovative work to increase literacy.”

Literacy Central Vancouver Island received $30,689.09 to support their Adult, Family and Indigenous Literacy Programs for the 2021-22 year.

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