A literacy program in Mission is receiving a funding boost.
Through the Community Access to Literacy and Learning (CALL) program, trained volunteers work with adults who want to improve their literacy or math skills but cannot access standard literacy classes. Participants are a diverse group, ranging from adults whose first language is English to recent newcomers to the country for whom English is new.
The provincial government is providing $22,000 towards the program, run by the University of the Fraser Valley and Mission Literacy in Motion.
“Literacy helps people communicate confidently,” said Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton. “Giving people the opportunity to develop their literacy skills is a practical investment that will benefit both the learners and the Mission community.”
Although the CALL program runs from September to June, it accepts participants throughout the year. Volunteer trainings are also year-round.
"Learning is a lifelong process," said Abbotsford-Mission MLA Simon Gibson. "Literacy is such a valuable skill and programs like this really make a difference in people's lives.”
The funding is part of a $2.4 million government initiative to improve literacy in the province.