|
Ms. Susan Cathcart, Coordinator, Literacy
Now Burnaby, and Ms. Edel Toner-Rogala, Chief Librarian and
Chair of Steering Committee for Literacy in Burnaby, appeared before the
Committee noting that Literacy Now Burnaby has been working to improve
literacy awareness and increase literacy opportunities in the community since
2007.
Ms. Toner-Rogala noted that the Steering
Committee for Literacy comprises of 12 members representing Burnaby Neighbourhood
House, Burnaby Public Library, City of Burnaby Social Planning, CUPE Local
23, SFU – Faculty of Education, Douglas College, Frontier College and School
District 41. There are also several volunteers from the community at large.
It was noted that according to the
Conference Board of Canada, Canada gets a “C” and ranks 8th out of
13 countries on the percentage of adults scoring low on adult literacy rate
tests; four out of 10 Canadian adults have literacy skills too low to be
fully competent in most jobs in our modern economy – they may not be able to
fill out a form, apply for a job, understand safety instructions, or read
directions for medications.
Ms. Cathcard noted that literacy is
not only reading and writing, but it also includes a host of related/essential
skills, i.e. document use, numeracy, oral communication, working with others,
computer use, etc.
The speaker noted that in Burnaby,
most groups are well served by ECD & Middle Years Tables for Children,
School District 41, Burnaby Public Library, Intercultural Planning Table
(BIPT), Voices for Seniors (VOBS), Burnaby Community Services and Interagency
Councils. There is, however, a noticeable gap in literacy services for out
of school youth and adults.
Ms. Toner-Rogala noted that Literacy
Burnaby Now is focusing on youth and adults who need better literacy and
essential skills (as part of Social Sustainability Strategy), supporting
literacy programs already in place and using clear language for all public
communication.
Ms. Cathcard provided an overview of
some current activities, i.e. gathering information on all literacy and
EAL/ESL services in Burnaby and New Westminster, and mapping their geographic
locations on an interactive map. It was noted that Literacy Now Burnaby is
working with GT Hiring to add more resources to the map.
As for Burnaby Community Adult
Literacy Program (B-CALP), Literacy Now Burnaby partners with Burnaby
Neighbourhood House, SFU, Burnaby Public Library and School District 41 to
train volunteer tutors and match with learners. At this time there are 17
tutors/learners couples.
In conclusion, Ms. Toner-Rogala
noted that in November 2015, Literacy Now Burnaby was successful in having
Burnaby Interagency Council pass a resolution regarding the use of clear language
in all public communication in Burnaby.
|