The provincial government is providing $21,567 to support community based programs in Surrey to help adult learners improve their reading and writing skills.

Adult learners around the region will get help to improve their literacy and numeracy skills, and advance their education and career goals thanks to the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society and their partnership with the Learn with a Friend project. The B.C. government is providing $21, 567 to support their program through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP).

“Supporting improved literacy is essential,” said Amrik Virk, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead and Advanced Education Minister. “This funding provides resources for community based programs that meet the needs of adults who want to improve their literacy levels for personal, employment or educational reasons. This funding ensures that organizations who provide these programs will be able to continue the great work they are doing in our region.”

The funding is part of the $2.4 million investment by the Ministry of Advanced Education into the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP) to support projects in 90 communities this fiscal year. It’s anticipated that 9,000 people throughout B.C. will benefit from the funding.

Through CALP, local groups collaborate with a public post-secondary institution to deliver literacy training, encouraging transitions from community-based programs to post-secondary studies.

CALP projects focus on the individual goals of adults such as improving their literacy and numeracy skills to enhance the quality of their lives, improve their job prospects, further their education and skills training, strengthen their families and increase their involvement in their communities.

Since 2001, the BC Liberal government has invested more than $23 million in CALP, helping more than 84,000 adults improve their reading and writing skills.