The provincial government announced over $29,000 of funding will be put towards two Richmond programs designed to help adults and families improve their reading, writing, math and digital literacy skills.
Literacy Richmond received $18,834.69 for its Learning Together, designed for young children and their parents or caregivers, and $10,369.09 for its Literacy for Life programs, aimed at boosting adults literacy levels.
The funding comes from the Ministry of Advanced Skills and Education.
It is estimated that about 700,000 people in B.C. have “significant challenges” with literacy, numeracy and digital literacy, according to the provincial government. Adult literacy programs, which are offered by trained volunteers in informal settings, such as the local library, focus on basic literacy, numeracy, life skills and employment preparation.
“Having challenges with reading and writing as an adult can bring up feelings of shame and stigma – but people should know that they aren’t alone, and it’s never too late to learn something new,” said Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston, in a statement.
According to Margaret Dixon, literacy outreach coordinator with Literacy Richmond, poverty or lack of exposure to English are a few of several different factors that contribute to lower literacy levels in Richmond.
For example, people often shop and worship in their own languages.
Health literacy – for example, understanding the instructions on prescriptions – is also an issue in Richmond she added.
Learning Together is an eight-week family literacy program with a goal to teach parents, grandparents and caregivers ways they can develop children’s literacy skills using everyday materials in their home, while also enhancing their own skills, said Dixon. Each week covers a different theme, such as reading, writing, math or digital literacy.
“When parents are more confident helping their kids with reading and homework, kids are set up for greater success at school and parents can work towards their own career goals,” said Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough, in a statement.
Literacy for Life, the second program to receive provincial funding, is designed to help boost the literacy skills of adults who may have been away from the workforce. The program helps improve, for example, interview skills, grammar, and computer skills.
“Many of (the participants) might lack confidence in their speaking – they can speak English but they’re reluctant to use it in case of grammatical errors,” said Dixon.
“It’s really also about increasing their confidence level and their self-esteem.”
Dixon added that the programs have been “significant” to participants, who then aren’t as reliant on other family members for help.
Both of the programs have been running for the past five or six years, she said, and are offered through the Richmond Public Library three times a year: September through November, January to March and April to May.
While typically the programs run in-person, they were held virtually during COVID-19.
In total, the province is investing $2.9 million in the Community Adult Literacy Program, which includes a one-time top-up investment for 2021-22. This will fund 97 programs, delivered by 66 organizations in 128 B.C. communities.
