Literacy Outreach Centre
Goals
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provides inclusive literacy instruction
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extends outreach by targeting specific hard to reach groups
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recruits and trains volunteer literacy tutors
Background
For the past ten years, the Association has successfully partnered with Aurora College in delivering a wide range of literacy activities through the Literacy Outreach Centre. This community based inclusive program offers instruction designed to meet the needs of individuals with low literacy skills. The Literacy Outreach Centre operates from September to June each year, averaging about 40 weeks per school year.
Due to the inclusive nature of the program, participants have a wide range of abilities levels, and may have intellectual, psychological, and / or physical disabilities. Instruction is tailored to meet individual learning goals and needs and usually is one to one. The program focuses on maintaining and increasing literacy skills in prose, document, numeracy and problem solving, as well as, life skills. The need to select culturally appropriate learning materials is an important factor for success in the program.
Individuals are referred by a variety of community organizations and government agencies. As well, literacy is a programming option for clients attending Skills Training & Inclusion.
Day Program: Classes take place from 9am to 4pm Monday through Thursday. Friday mornings are spent on planning, preparation and meetings. Friday afternoons are dedicated to outreach activities outside the Centre. There are three sessions from Monday through Thursday: one from 9 to noon, a second from 1 to 3pm and a third from 3 to 4. This last session is reserved for one to one instruction. Most learners attend one session per day but scheduling is flexible to accommodate part time jobs and other activities of the learners.
Tutor Service: The program recruits tutors who support learners outside the normal hours of the Centre. An initial weekend of training to prospective tutors is provided by the staff. The training takes place early in the school year. The trained tutors are then matched with individual learners. Throughout the year the staff meets with tutors to review progress with assigned learners, as well as provide ongoing support, resources and teaching strategies
Community Outreach: The program attempts to reach out to individuals and groups who might not otherwise access the literacy activities of the Centre. Support is offered to other literacy providers in the Yellowknife area. This support has taken the form of sharing ideas, resources, materials and teaching strategies. The Centre also promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in community events and activities.
Click here to veiw the Literacy Outreach Brochure.
Contact Information:
Instructor
Literacy Outreach Centre
Yellowknife Association for Community Living
Phone: (867) 920-3016
Fax: (867) 920-2229
Emal: dnash@auroracollege.nt.ca