Contributed by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy
Black Press and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy are collecting donations for the third Annual Reach a Reader! By making a donation to this campaign, you are supporting literacy programs in your community. Thank you for making the difference.
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is the Columbia Basin and Boundary region not-for-profit literacy organization. CBAL programs support seniors, adults, families, youth and children of all ages improve English, reading, writing, numeracy, computer and workplace skills.
Locally, family literacy programs aim to provide parents and caregivers with the skills needed to support their children’s literacy development. For example, the Parents as Literacy Supporters (PALS) program provides a parent/caregiver information sessions during the kindergarten school day. Parents meet to discuss children’s age appropriate learning. Next parents and children explore hands-on learning activities together. Adults then meet to discuss their observations and ask questions about children’s literacy and learning development. At the end of each session, families receive a take home kit to extend the learning at home. The PALS program is offered through a partnership with CBAL, Kindergarten teachers, and School District 19. Each school has completed the Linking Literacy and Play session. Families will be participating in the ABCs and Learning session in November followed by Early Math and Learning to Read in the winter and spring.
CBAL offers a variety of family literacy programs and services that explore and support literacy development at different ages. Examples include Mother Goose, Story Adventure Kits, Parents of Primary Students (POPS), and Parent Reading Workshops.
In Revelstoke, Okanagan College offers a number of adult literacy programs that provide adult learners with the tools and skills needed to be successful in the modern world. In addition, CBAL offers a number of adult workshops and learning opportunities throughout the year including annual computer workshops for seniors. This series has included Using Facebook, Using Gmail, Working with Photos, Shopping Online, Caring for your Computer and Troubleshooting. CBAL’s annual Clear Language Workshop explores the importance of using plain language and a variety of reading workshops provide tips, tools and strategies.
Are you interested in attending a literacy program in your community? To learn more about our programs, please visit cbal.org or contact Tracy Spannier, Community Literacy Coordinator, Revelstoke at tspannier@cbal.org or 250-805-2305.