Trails to Literacy

By Deb Ibey*

When the Trails to Literacy idea was sparked, it grew from several concepts. The first one was a desire to create a more hands-on program to provide literacy and basic skills training in a real-life context. Another purpose was to decrease the stigma that is often attached to low literacy/numeracy. As the benchmark of literacy has been increased by technology and by the availability of education, gaps in knowledge and ability have become less acceptable. While it is fashionable to be taking some training, such as computer skills, Internet, or carpentry, many are embarrassed to say they were in a literacy program.

We also had a need to create closer links between literacy upgrading and the community. This would help foster a greater social understanding of the level and value of literacy/basic skills upgrading, as well as providing more client referrals and volunteers.

Our township's section of the newborn Trans Canada Trail lacked amenities for trail users, such as: shelters, benches, signage, information plaques, local maps and trail guides.

As these needs, potential accomplishments, concerns and interests were reviewed the idea evolved to use the trail as a learning vehicle to provide literacy/numeracy skills. These, along with communications, teamwork and job-like experience, would help participants increase opportunities for employment. The products of their learning through research, writing, administration, building, etc. would be visible to the public and improve the community's physical and economic well-being. This was definitely a saleable item to the population, businesses and agencies in our area!

One of our objectives was to enhance community partnerships, particularly with Ontario Works (social service provider). Along with OW staff we developed a plan to include community placements in the project. OW provided some funding to purchase tools, equipment and supplies. Placements took on roles tutoring, newsletter writing/editing, doing clerical work, mentoring and supervising. Many combined literacy/numeracy upgrading or computer training with their placement.

Ontario Works invited us to make a presentation to their workers from across Eastern Ontario. This presentation was so well received that OW took it to a province-wide meeting. Again the reaction was favourable, resulting in one client's personal story being requested by the Ministry of Community and Social Services with excerpts being used in a statement to the Ontario Legislature by the Hon. John Baird.

This, along with a significant amount of press coverage, has increased the profile of literacy and basic skills upgrading locally, regionally and even provincially. Referrals have increased in our site by approximately 200%. Local community groups, businesses and volunteers assisted us by providing donations, goods, information, training and tutoring.

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