Cranbrook Improves Local Literacy

A grant of $70,000 from Literacy Now Communities helped the Cranbrook literacy task group offer a variety of literacy programs including an ESL Settling In program that matches immigrants with volunteer tutors who provide individual and group assistance.

Funds also helped support other programs such as StrongStart, where preschool children and their parents or caregivers can prepare for success in kindergarten; Books for Babies that provides books and literacy information to families with a newborn; and a homework support group.

Literacy Now Communities guides communities through a planning process to identify and address local literacy needs. The program focuses on building partnerships, networking and sharing best practices within BC's communities and regions. There are currently 96 task groups throughout BC working to improve local literacy. Literacy Now Communities is supported by the Province of British Columbia.