Adult Literacy Program

The Literacy Program offers offenders, ex-offenders, persons at risk and their families, the opportunity to improve literacy skills for free. Men and women 18yrs. and older are served by our agency. One-to-one tutoring is offered by trained volunteer coaches at various sites, at the main office and in the community. Both the Literacy Coordinator and the Literacy Facilitator offer one-to-one tutoring in the Calgary Remand Centre. All programs support learners up to a grade 9 level of literacy. Learners work on reading, writing, and numeracy with an emphasis placed on skills that can be used in everyday life.

Our program serves multi-barriered individuals who have low literacy abilities and who may be: incarcerated, homeless, living in poverty, have criminal records, report drug addictions and/or mental health issues

Volunteers are recruited to work in the Volunteer Tutor Adult Learning Service. These volunteers are matched with a learner to assist in reaching a literacy goal. Volunteers meet with the learner in the community, usually once a week for 1-2 hours. Sometimes, volunteers are recruited to assist in tutoring at the Calgary Remand Centre. Volunteers are needed every week to coach at the literacy drop-in at the Inn from the Cold and in the Just Say YES program. As well, volunteers may feel free to offer skills in other areas in the Calgary John Howard Society as needed.

Learners meet 1:1 with coaches in the community at an agreed-upon location. The learner decides what to learn and together with the coach decide what materials are appropriate for the needs. Meetings usually last 1-2 hours at least one to five times per week. The Literacy Coordinator and the Literacy Facilitator offer 1:1 tutoring at the Calgary Remand Centre. Inmates can put in a written request or phone to make a request

Contact:

Please call Gail McDougall at 403-543-7824 or email to gail.mcdougall@calgaryjohnhoward.org.

Goals:

To offer learning opportunities to individuals who face barriers which could prevent the accessing of literacy upgrading.
To offer learners a safe, non-judgmental and encouraging environment in which to pursue educational, literacy or occupational goals.
To contribute towards increasing the learner’s self-esteem and personal values.
To improve skills in reading, writing, & math
To upgrade academic goals
To expand areas of interest

Alberta Advanced Education and Technology
Calgary Learns,
Rotary Club of Calgary

People can self-refer by phoning Gail at 403-543-7824 or be referred through any social service agency.

“I have found this program and instructor a valuable source. I have taken many positives I will use now and throughout my life. This program has been the foundation of my future goals....”ed.”