Support for the work we do means that...

Children will have boundless opportunities. Parents' literacy skills have a significant impact on their childrens' literacy (Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, 2003). As parents, if we model good literacy at home, we are helping our kids reach their potential.

Women will be empowered. Many of the participants in our programs are mothers who may or may not be raising their children with a partner. When a mother improves her literacy skills she will be more self-sufficient and better able to provide for her family. Our programming gives mothers an opportunity to improve their skills and "Parenting After Family Violence" aims to teach mothers strategies for parenting their children after they have left situations of domestic violence.

Immigrants will integrate into Canadian society with greater ease. Providing for a family is difficult when one can not communicate in the local language well. A major focus of our research and programming is reaching out to new comers and helping them to learn English and to adapt to parenting in Canada.

Disadvantaged groups will have greater employment opportunities. Literacy skills have a high impact on earnings and on the length of time it takes to return to the workforce after periods of unemployment (ALLS Survey, 2003). Groups that previously did not have the resources to improve their skills will have that opportunity through our programming, research and leadership training.

We will build a healthier, happier society. Our programs are competency based, meaning they build on an individual's existing skills and strengths. One of the goals of our programming is for learners to build self-confidence and to encourage them and their children to achieve emotional, spiritual, physical and mental capacity.

Cultures will be preserved. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of different participants: immigrants, aboriginals, french speakers, men learning English as a second language and more. Programs are continually created and updated to meet the needs of the audiences.