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Literacy is so much more than just being able to read or write.
That’s the message Project READ Literacy Network works diligently to promote as an umbrella group for seven literacy-based organizations. Operating from multi-sites, the network’s mission is to provide adults and families in Waterloo-Wellington access to literacy training.
“It’s probably one of the hardest sells,” says Jane Tuer, who has been executive director of Project READ Literacy Network for the past 17 years.
Tuer, who has 27 years of experience working in the field of literacy, says many people assume low literacy programs are aimed only at children. However, she says low literacy also affects many parents and the aspects of their lives, including health and employment.
“It’s a very vicious cycle,” says Tuer, referring to how families can be affected when low literacy is part of their daily lives.
According to Project READ Literacy Network, which was founded in 1988, about 24% of the population in Waterloo-Wellington 16 and older fall in the lowest levels of literacy, and one in three adults can’t read dosages of over-the-counter prescription medication. To combat this, Tuer and her team work with a variety of local Literacy and Basic Skills agencies to develop solutions and programs to meet the literacy needs of residents.
“If we really want to have the best trained workforce in Ontario and the highest education, we have to start meeting the lowest needs,” she said.
To assist in some of its many programs, Project READ Literacy Network relies on the assistance of its many members but also reaches out to other community partners, including Capacity Canada.
Tuer says Project READ’s relationship with Capacity Canada began about six years ago and has resulted in the collaboration of several initiatives.
Recently, the pair has joined forces on the Families First Waterloo Region Project, which is funded by the Hallman Foundation. It’s based on Project READ’s Get Set Learn program, which is the only family literacy program operating in Waterloo Region and targets families with preschool children by helping parents and kids to become lifelong learners using a variety of daily activities.
Families First is a scaled up model of that program which aims to reach new populations in the region. It’s also hoped by doing this, the cycle of intergenerational low literacy will be broken and school readiness will be improved. The program is in the development stage until at least 2019.
“Capacity Canada is a huge part of this project,” says Tuer, who also participated in Capacity Canada’s Manulife Board Governance BootCamp earlier this fall.
Held at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo Conference Center in mid-November, she was among about 50 top administrators and board directors that took part in two days of intensive board governance training and discussions. It was the first time Tuer had participated in the BootCamp, which has become one of Capacity Canada’s core programs.
Tuer says she welcomed the information provided, adding the training is a benefit to those who serve on the boards of small charitable non-profits.
“Most join a board with good intentions, but have no idea what their role is,” she says.
Tuer highly recommends the BootCamp, which also offered networking opportunities with representatives for other non-profit organizations.
“I think we’ve used almost every angle that Capacity Canada offers,” she says of her organization’s relationship with Capacity Canada.
Providing charity non-profit organizations with the tools they need to success, whether through programming, or mentoring, is something Capacity Canada relishes.
“Working together with these organizations like Project READ Literacy Network in any capacity to ensure they can succeed in their important missions benefits us all as a community,” says Capacity Canada CEO Cathy Brothers. “It’s always a win-win for all us.”
For more on Project READ Literacy Network, please visit http://www.projectread.ca.
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