• ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE • CASE STATEMENT•

Organizational Profile

THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF SOUTH SIMCOE is a community-based, Anglophone literacy program, which has been in operation since 1991. We currently cover a large area surrounding the towns of New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio, Innisfil, Essa, Bradford West Gwillimbury and all the smaller communities in between.

We are funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and also raise funds through various fundraising activities. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely on the support of our community for services-in-kind and donations. These supports help us to participate in many community events, and to provide outreach material to the public, as well as services to our clients, which are not covered by our provincial grant.

Our primary service is providing one-to-one tutorials in basic literacy and numeracy skills to clients aged 16 to 65 (and older in some cases). We also provide literacy training in a small group setting consisting of 6 - 8 learners. Most of our clients are people who are unable to attend full or part-time adult education programs, either because of employment responsibilities, child care responsibilities, or their lack of essential skills and self confidence necessary to participate in any of these mainstream education programs. To date, we have assisted more than 300 learners in reaching their goals.

We also provide assistance to adults requiring upgrading in English, Math skills, and Computer skills to enhance their effectiveness at work and/or help them achieve their secondary school credits.

We have quite an extensive resource library with teaching materials, information, and pleasure reading for our students and tutors. We attend meetings with local groups, when requested, to speak about literacy and how literacy affects an individual's daily life.

Our members (tutors, Board of Directors, and trainers) consist of dedicated volunteers, who realize that individuals require basic literacy skills to complete many daily tasks. The time and effort of these volunteers result in building client's self-esteem and confidence while enhancing their quality of life through increased literacy skills. Our tutors receive basic training in the techniques of teaching adults through the Laubach Literacy method, and we offer supplementary workshops throughout the year to enhance their tutoring skills and assist them in achieving the next level of certification through Laubach Literacy Canada. Additional training opportunities are available through the Simcoe/Muskoka Literacy Network and other provincial literacy organizations. We have two part-time paid staff members, who handle all the administration and documentation of learners enrolled within the program. With the support of a Board of Directors, the Literacy Council of South Simcoe endeavours to meet the literacy needs of the community through the delivery of the Literacy Basic Skills program in accordance with Ministry-approved guidelines and standards.

The Literacy Council of South Simcoe encourages interest and input from the community. We encourage and welcome members of the community to become active members of the Council, either as volunteer tutors, committee members, members of the Board of Directors, or in any other volunteer capacity.

Click here to view our Case Statement

If you have any questions or would like to become involved, please call the
Literacy Council of South Simcoe at (705) 435-5624