August 27, 2009 6:00 PM Kelowna Capital News:
Literacy B.C.’s Read Line and Literacy Directory programs have lost their $60,000 funding due to ministry of education cutbacks.“Thousands of British Columbians each year use these services to connect with educational programs in their areas,” said Judy Cavanagh, executive director of Literacy B.C, “Literacy B.C. will run the B.C. Literacy Directory and the Read Line for as long as we can, but without funding, our inability to operate this service will have consequences.”
Cavanagh said in 2005, the provincial government announced the golden goal of becoming the most literate jurisdiction on the continent. Just four years later, key literacy funding is being cut, Cavanagh said, even though literacy services are more important than ever during an economic downturn. “In order to find a new job, many people need to upgrade their skills. The programs offer a simple way to connect people with the services they need to succeed. Cutting funding to these tools just does not make sense.”
The literacy directory (www.literacybc.ca/directory) is a website where people can find programs to improve reading, writing and English language skills in their regions. The read line, 1-888-732-3234, is a confidential, toll-free hotline where anyone can get personalized assistance with finding a literacy program. Cavanagh said friends or family use the service on behalf of someone who struggles to read, or volunteers call looking for a way to make a difference to literacy.
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Don Quixote Note: The Junction Literacy Centre of Vernon also gets support from The Province of British Columbia through the following Ministries:
- Children and Family Development
- Education
- Employment & Income Assistance
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