Communities Celebrate Family Literacy Day

Education Minister Karen Casey joined Colchester area community groups and individuals who have benefited from the province's adult literacy programs to celebrate their successes as part of Family Literacy Day today, Jan. 27.

One of those individuals, Lillian Lake, was part of the Tell Me A Story literacy program delivered by the Colchester Adult Learning Association in Great Village, Colchester Co. This program was co-funded by the Department of Education and the federal government.

"My journey into adult learning began with a family literacy program in my own community and led me to rewarding and satisfying employment close to home," said Ms. Lake

Ms. Lake moved on to attend Nova Scotia Community College as a student, and is now employed by the college at its Truro campus.

"Today we celebrate our successes and support future efforts to build literacy skills among Nova Scotians of all ages," said Education Minister Karen Casey. "I applaud the outstanding literacy and learning efforts happening all over our province. An investment in family literacy builds healthier families, stronger communities, and economic potential."

Ms. Casey added that this is the second year the Department of Education has funded family literacy projects across the province, including the one in Bass River. This year the Department of Education is funding five family literacy projects across the province.

Projects were organized in partnership with community literacy organizations and delivered through the Guysborough County Adult Learning Association, Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit Valley Learning Network, Hants Literacy Network Association, and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. All of the projects were designed to foster opportunities for family members and children to learn together, at school and at home.

Family literacy is an inter-generational approach to education that fosters learning and literacy within the family. Examples of family literacy programs include reading circles and homework clubs for parents or caregivers and children, adult literacy programs that focus on the adult as a parent and workshops for parents and caregivers on how to support their child's educational development.

Family Literacy Day was created by ABC Canada Literacy Foundation in 1999 to promote the importance of family literacy. It is now celebrated every Jan. 27 by families, schools, communities, and literacy-related organizations across Canada.