Jerry's report

Jerry Horne

Most people join Laubach Literacy because they want to help people one-on-one. There is no more important and rewarding activity. Supporting tutors in their endeavors remains my primary task.

At the same time, there is much we can do as an organization of tutors working together. Through our councils, and through our provincial and national organization, we can raise the issue of literacy higher on the public agenda. Doing so will benefit everyone.

There's good reason to be optimistic about the future of adult literacy on Canada's west coast. Last spring we launched the provincial organization Laubach Literacy of BC. British Columbia's fourteen councils now have a forum to share ideas about literacy in the context of the West Coast's unique culture and economy.

Laubach Literacy had its start on the East Coast, and today Laubach is one the most influential literacy organizations in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and PEI. We are also very strong in southern Ontario and Quebec. With the hiring of more field workers, new councils are being formed on the Prairies.

As your field representative, serving the Lower Mainland, I'll continue to spread the word about Laubach Literacy. I'll do this by talking to interested groups whenever I can -- Rotary clubs and other service clubs -- and by recruiting more tutors to take our training sessions. Since I last wrote to you I've organized displays at malls, at volunteer fairs and at Word on the Street. Thanks to Fiona, Fe, Dave, Mernie and others who've helped me with these displays. In the urbanized Lower Mainland, mall displays are sometimes the best means to let the public know about Laubach.

I'm happy to report that we have new Laubach Literacy Councils serving North Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam). In the coming year or two I hope to form more councils, and to continue my role of supporting existing councils in Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey and Mission.

Congratulations to our two newly certified tutor trainers,
Jane and Darcy Allen from Prince George. Several others are on track to becoming trainers, and we applaud their efforts. If you are interested in being a tutor trainer, contact Myrna McGregor, Provincial Training Officer, at (604)826-6313 (Mission).

New (revived) council Lillooet Adult Literacy Tutoring
Lisa Steele
Lillooet Adult and Cont. Ed. Centre
Box 820,
Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
250-256-4745