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Media Releases 2006
2010 LEGACIES NOW EXPANDS LITERACY NOW COMMUNITIES PROGRAM TO INCLUDE 26 MORE B.C. COMMUNITIES
Vancouver, B.C. (November 7, 2006): 2010 Legacies Now is providing support to 26 communities or regions around the province so they can determine local needs, develop community literacy plans and create or expand literacy programs to help learners of every age.
“2010 Legacies Now is working with communities and community-based organizations to increase local access to literacy learning,” said Brenda Le Clair, managing director of strategic development and partnerships. “The first step is a literacy plan developed at the local level. These 26 literacy task groups have made a commitment to build an action plan that will benefit all members of the community, from infants to seniors.”
“Reading is more than a skill for the classroom — it’s a skill for life,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “It is vital to the success of every student, every family and every community. The expansion of this program moves us a step closer to fulfilling Premier Campbell’s commitment to make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction in North America.”
To join the Literacy Now communities program, partners within a community or region must submit an expression of interest to 2010 Legacies Now. Partners who have demonstrated a broad base of interest and commitment within their community are then asked to apply for up to $10,000 to help with the development of a literacy plan. Once the plan is complete, the partners are eligible for funding to help with the implementation of their action plan.
The following communities or regions are joining the program:
- Abbotsford
- Bamfield
- Bella Coola
- Burnaby
- Comox Valley
- Delta
- Gold River
- Haida Gwaii
- Hope, Boston Bar, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs
- Houston
- Howe Sound (Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton)
- Kamloops
- Maple Ridge
- Mission
- Nanaimo
- Parksville/Qualicum
- Port Alberni
- Powell River
- Prince George
- Princeton
- Salmon Arm and area
- South Okanagan-Similkameen (Penticton, Osoyoos, Oliver and area)
- Sunshine Coast
- Terrace
- Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody)
- Vancouver
"The Literacy Now communities program has galvanized the efforts of groups who are poised to address literacy and learning issues in their communities,” said Judy Brooks, regional literacy coordinator for the North Island and Powell River. “While these issues have been the focus of literacy organizations for many years, the program offers fresh ideas to assist in this community-planning approach.”
The Literacy Now communities program guides partners through a community-based planning process designed to address local literacy needs. The process focuses on building partnerships, networking and sharing best practices within B.C.’s communities and regions. There are now 56 participating literacy task groups, representing more than 100 communities across the province. 2010 Legacies Now aims to make British Columbia the most literate province in Canada and a global leader in literacy learning by 2010.
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, arts, literacy and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities to discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
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If you would like contact information for a literacy coordinator in one of the communities listed above, please contact:
Media Contacts:
Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
Phone: 778.327.5180
Cell: 778.840.8779
Natasha Vander Wal
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
Phone: 778-327-5189
Cell: 778-840-5189
