Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc.
Aboriginal Centre
181 Higgins Avenue, 4th Floor
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 3G1
Tel: (204) 949-1154
Fax: (204) 947-1917

Program Mission & Objectives:

The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation program started as a part-time program in 1990 geared to learners with basic literacy and upgrading needs. A full-time program today, it is open to motivated learners of Aboriginal descent, 21 years of age and older, who are functioning at below the Grade 10 level. The program is aimed at "where they are at and where they want to go".

The program is offered at two Winnipeg locations, the Aboriginal Centre and the Nor-West Learning Centre. Peer tutoring, one-on-one and group-discussion teaching methods are used. Literacy program components include family literacy, computer training, life skills, job preparation, community development and career exploration. One of the program requirements is that learners are expected to complete 12 hours of community volunteer work. At any given time there are about 135 learners participating in the program. The members of the Foundation's Board of Directors are all of Aboriginal descent.

Program Features:

• The program has three levels: Stage 1— basic literacy level; Stage 2 — Grades 3 to 4 level; and, Stage 3 — Grades 6 to 10 level.

• The program has two full-time staff, both of whom are of Aboriginal ancestry. Two volunteers each also commit four to eight hours of their time per week to the program. Resource support is also received from various community organizations.

• The program is three months in duration and registration is open and continuous. The program is offered five days per week, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learners may re-enrol in the program up to three times. Re-enrolment is based on a review of the learner's goals and plans. There is usually a six-week waiting list to get into the program.