National Adult Literacy Database

When thinking of education centres that make a difference in the lives of Canadians, our minds naturally go to schools (K-12), community colleges, vocational schools and universities.  We should never underestimate the important roles played by community learning centres across our vast country.

One remarkable centre, located in what has been described as one of Canada’s poorest postal codes, is Vancouver’s Canucks Family Education Centre (CFEC).

Jean Rasmussen, founder and executive director, spoke to NALD in the days leading up to the centre’s 10th anniversary (October 3). 

“Grassroots family literacy organizations like CFEC address a critical gap in service provision, that for many reasons the formal education systems in British Columbia and Canada are unable to do,” she said.

Jean suspects either jurisdictional issues or individual mandates may curtail the education systems’ ability to overcome the many barriers that stop adults from returning to school.

"The good news is that, thanks to non-profit literacy organizations, their community and business partners, and federal organizations like NALD, these barriers are mitigated and vulnerable families are able to achieve success, not only in educational attainment, but also in life," she said.

Jean gives credit for the longevity and success of CFEC to the Vancouver Canucks, the Canucks for Kids Fund, the Britannia Community Services Centre, the Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader program and the Vancouver School Board. “Without their first leap of faith, we would have a very different story indeed.” 

• CFEC helps parents, many of whom have faced difficult past circumstances, to find a positive and safe forum to work towards a brighter future.
• CFEC works with families from countries all over the world including Ethiopia, Congo, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Liberia, Vietnam, China and Latin America.
• Most CFEC participants are women    ̶   single parents, refugees, new and established immigrants, and members of Canada’s First Nations.
• Since 2002, more than 5,000 children, youth and adults have directly benefited from CFEC’s programs. This number does not include family members who are not registered in classes, but benefit from the involvement of other family members; the organizations who partner with CFEC and the clients they serve.
• During the 2011-2012 school year alone, CFEC provided programming for 296 adults, 199 children and 104 youth: a total of 599 participants.

“As we embark on the next 10 years, CFEC will continue to support the participants in our programs in the way they need and want us to as they work towards achieving their goals,” Jean said.

“We will also continue to work with our current partners; invite others to support the work we do for the families in the Lower Mainland of B.C. and other jurisdictions that are interested in partnering with CFEC; and incorporate into all of our programs and services the essential skills needed for life and in the workplace.”

For more information about the programs of the Canucks Family Education Centre, visit its website at http://www.cfecbc.ca/.

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This article was prepared by:
Christy English
NALD Editor/Stakeholder Liaison
Tel: 506-462-5034 or toll-free: 1-800-720-6253
Email: christy.english@nald.ca