Media Releases 2007

$660,000 TO HELP B.C. COMMUNITIES DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT LITERACY PLANS

Vancouver, B.C. (December 13, 2007): 2010 Legacies Now is investing $660,000 in 22 communities or regions around the province to assist with the development and implementation of local literacy action plans.

"2010 Legacies Now is working with B.C. communities to increase access to local literacy programs," said Brenda Le Clair, executive director of literacy for 2010 Legacies Now. "Much interest has been shown by different communities all over the province, and we are proud to support the efforts of literacy task groups."

With support from the provincial government, 2010 Legacies Now is providing funds to local literacy task groups through the Literacy Now Communities program, which guides partners through a community-based planning process designed to address local literacy needs.

The program's main objective is to increase the literacy levels of children, youth and adults in B.C. There are currently 64 participating literacy task groups around the province, representing more than 200 communities.

The first step in the program involves individuals or groups submitting an expression of interest to 2010 Legacies Now. The initiators expand conversation with other interested members of the community in order to launch community meetings and form a task group. The literacy task group submits an application for planning funds, and then prepares a community literacy inventory and community literacy plan. Once the plan is complete, the task group is eligible for implementation funds.

"Reading is one of the greatest skills an individual can ever have, and no one, especially in our province, should live life without the chance to gain this skill," said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education. "This program is building on the excellent work already being done by literacy practitioners and their community partners throughout the province."

"Having the Literacy Now Communities program has allowed us to start the conversation about literacy at the community level," said Christabelle Kux-Kardos, literacy coordinator for the Northern Lights Community College region. "We have started educating the service agencies, businesses and government on how literacy touches each sector."

"This process has been the common denominator for bridging the divide between community programs, the school district, the college and the service providers," continued Sandrina Harwood, Dawson Creek community literacy coordinator. "Our hope is that the community will gain a coordinated, cohesive approach to literacy."

2010 Legacies Now, through its Literacy Now Communities program and other initiatives, aims to make British Columbia the most literate province in the country as well as a leader in literacy learning.

2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, 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.

Downloaded Fact Sheet in PDF

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Media Contacts:

Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
Ph: 778.327.5180
Cell: 778.840.8779

Natasha Vander Wal
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
Ph: 778.327.5189
Cell: 778.840.5189

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