Rebecca Stoffer is the TIE (Teaching Immigrants English) ESL instructor. TIE is a province wide initiative and by sharing space with ACALA, the program is perfectly positioned to help new Canadians settling in our community with their educational goals. As last year’s volunteer instructor for ACALA’s own ESL pilot program – a happy and fruitful experiment for all involved – Rebecca can also attest to the value ACALA brings to the community as a whole by providing opportunities for adults to obtain challenging work experience and meaningful ways to contribute. She was a newcomer to Antigonish with two small children when life threw her a curve ball: her husband was diagnosed with cancer and no longer able to work. Through volunteering she was able to take stock of her skills, find hope and open new doors. But it was the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life that she values most… “Working with ACALA has helped grow my esteem and confidence. I’ve learned that community is about finding yourself with others… Little by little the future looks brighter!”

Krista & Paul Rafuse have volunteered with ACALA for a few years, taking care of weekly cleaning chores at the previous location on West Street and the new facility behind Pharmachoice on Main Street. They are passionate about literacy and anti-poverty issues and hope, as time permits, to become more involved. Evening work for a cleaning service and their own cleaning and lawn care business keeps them busy and if there is any time left, Krista sketches and paints and Paul enjoys the computer, photography and transferring music from LPs and cassettes to CD via the computer. They share a love of animals and are the proud owners of 'Stacy', a lively 5-month-old bluish gray kitten.

5 Things You Can Do to Support Literacy

1. Life long learning
   Brush up on your skills or support your friends, family members and your neighbours who are improving their skills whether is reading, writing, computer use or getting a diploma or equivalent.

2. Initiate learning opportunities in your office
   Make sure your office provides training to employees and that courses are presented as a positive opportunity to improve their skills.

3. Tutor people in your community
   Many literacy programs are small and depend on the involvement of local community members.

4. Encourage friends who want to participate
   Offer to provide childcare, offer them a drive to a program or even attend classes with them.

5. Read with a child
   Reading just 15 minutes a day =465 hours of early literacy by 5 years of age.

Interesting Literacy Websites