September 22, 2015

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2015 Make a difference today.

Help Raise a Reader.

r a i s e a r e a d e r. c o m

on ou 2 | SEPTEMBER 2015 Postposted Media RAISE-A-READER posted on our website at www.cvliteracy.ca Support CVLLA by becoming a member! Support CV

Comox Valley Comox Valley Comox FMI: Contact Danielle Hoogland, Valley Comox Valley Literacy Outreach Coordinator, Essential Lifelong Learning Lifelong LearningAssociation Association Ph. 250-897-2623, Email: dhoogland@shaw.ca Skills Comox Valley Essential Skills

promote literacy life!

WeWe promote literacy forfor life!

FM Comox V Ph. 250-8

Raise-a-Reader supports our programsand andevents: events: Raise-a-Reader supports our programs

Come and visit the CourtenayLibrary Library Come and visit usus atat the Courtenay Books Treats Halloween&&during during forfor Books forfor Treats onon Halloween Family Literacy Week , Jan.25-29, 25-29,2016 2016 Family Literacy Week , Jan.

Other programs, events and book distributions are posted on our website at

www.cvliteracy.ca FMI: Contact

Danielle Hoogland Comox Valley Literacy Outreach Coordinator

Phone 250-897-2623 Email: dhoogland@shaw.ca

Other programs, events and book distributions are Other posted programs, events andatbook distributions are on our website www.cvliteracy.ca posted on ourCVLLA website www.cvliteracy.ca Support byatbecoming a member!

Support CVLLA by becoming a member!

Comox FMI: Contact Danielle Hoogland, Valley Comox Comox Literacy Outreach Coordinator, FMI:Valley Contact Danielle Hoogland, Essential Valley Skills Ph. 250-897-2623, Email: dhoogland@shaw.ca Comox Valley Literacy Outreach Coordinator, Essential Skills Ph. 250-897-2623, Email: dhoogland@shaw.ca

Club of Courtenay

By fostering fellowship for our business, professional and community leaders, the Courtenay Rotary Club is recognized as a vibrant organization that thrives on the challenges of community and international projects.

Our success comes from working in a fun and friendly atmosphere that is committed to Service Above Self.

We are a service organization supporting local and international communities through projects that have a direct impact on community well being.

The Courtenay Rotary Club proudly supports the Raise-A-Reader Literacy Campaign!

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Third Annual Fundraiser Comox Valley Raise-A-Reader Campaign boasts new partners The Comox Valley Record has infused new energy into the Raise-A-Reader Campaign. The Comox Valley Record joined the Comox Valley Echo and 97.3 The Eagle as a media sponsor and supporter of the Raise-AReader campaign.

“Having the Record, 97.3 The Eagle, and the Echo on board means increased media coverage on the importance of literacy. Raising the profile of literacy is one of the goals of the Raise-A-Reader campaign and having three strong media partners has been a great boost to our awareness campaign”, says Nazaneen Dizai, RaiseA-Reader Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement Consultant.

Danielle Hoogland, Literacy Outreach Coordinator and Program Manager for the Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association, compliments Nazaneen for also boosting the profile of the Raise-A-Reader Campaign.

“Nazaneen has brought her expertise in marketing and community engagement to our team. She’s been hitting the pavement soliciting sponsorships, connecting with business, enlisting Raise-A-Reader special

edition newspaper hawkers, and organizing our fundraisers. Not only does Naz help us promote literacy, she helps us raise funds to support the critical work we do in our community. Each sponsor and donor means more books in the homes and hands of families; more accessible, relevant, and well-resourced literacy programs; and greater capacity to meet the literacy needs of our community”.

In the past two years, the Comox Valley Raise-A-Reader Committee has raised over $40,000 locally.

The Ministry of Education has leveraged these funds by approximately $25,000 for a total of $65,000.

One hundred percent of these funds are directed to local literacy programs and activities in the Comox Valley.

It’s not too late to donate to Raise-AReader. Donate online: raiseareader.com/ donate and click on ‘Comox Valley Record’ under ‘Fund your donation will support’.

For more information, contact Danielle by email at dhoogland@shaw.ca or by phone at 250-897-2623.

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Children Who Read…Succeed!

Developing children’s reading and literacy skills to prepare them for school can start with a visit to their local library: Help children develop a love of reading…

Raise a Reader at your public library today!

virl.bc.ca/kids

• • • •

Homework Help databases Fun literacy-based storytimes and special events Early literacy kits and kindergarten kits and guide you on your learning adventure

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Play to Learn at Vancouver Island Regional Library Caregivers play an important role in supporting the development of their child’s early literacy skills. Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they learn to read and write. There are five daily activities that families can do together to help children grow their literacy skills: Reading, Writing, Talking, Singing and Playing. Play is an essential part of literacy skill growth and one of the best ways children can develop those skills. Playing is also fun and having fun with early literacy skills motivates children. Fun makes kids more excited to learn, and it also helps parents be more excited to teach. It is important for early literacy activities to be fun and engaging for everybody involved.

Unstructured, free play allows children to grow their oral language skills as they

talk about what they are doing, provide instructions to others, and make up stories. Play also provides children with a chance to develop their narrative skills. An important part of learning to read is the understanding that stories or books follow a pattern; there is a beginning, middle, and end or first, next, last.

When children play they talk about what they are doing and create stories helping to build essential narrative skills. Words stand in for experiences and help create an imaginative space.

In imaginative play children often pretend an item is something else. This is symbolic thinking and it is a key part of learning to read. Symbolic thinking is when we learn that one thing stands in for another. We practice symbolic thinking in imaginative play when a stick stands in for a

Our Mission:

Improving people’s lives & community through knowledge and employment.

We are proud to sponsor Raise a Reader.

sword or a box stands in for a rocket ship. This helps us when we learn to read because we need to learn that an A stands in for an “ahhh” sound, and the word “apple” stands in for the fruit we like to eat.

When children learn how to think symbolically through play they are also building pathways in their brains that will help them learn to read.

Early childhood researchers are concerned that children are not getting enough unstructured, imaginative play in their lives.

This lack of opportunity to play could impact the development of skills needed to succeed at reading and social development, but adding play into your family’s life can be simple. Your local branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library has resources and information for parents to help incorporate

Playing in the library! play into your everyday life.

Borrow one of our Literacy Kits filled with books, activities, and tips for sharing the joy of language, reading, and play with your child. Visit a

branch and take part in our Lego® clubs or in branch play boxes filled with toys, puppets, and games. Get silly with a book or learn a new song at our storytime

programs. The library is your partner at play, after all play is the work of childhood, and we can’t wait to get to work.

– Colleen Nelson, MLIS

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Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association Raising Readers During the 2014-2015 school year, Raise-a-Reader funds enabled 42 families to freely participate in CVLLA’s Family Literacy Outreach program – a program designed to meet the literacy needs of both children and parents. One mom who attended the Waiting for the Bus Glacier View FLO program said: “the healthy meal makes me register for the program, but the people and the learning opportunities make me stay”. The program creates the time and space for parents to explore further education and job opportunities while their children engage in early childhood educational activities with educators. Alternatively, participants can work with computer and literacy facilitators to work on improving their computer, reading, or writing skills. The program is designed to meet participants needs.

Raise-a-Reader funds also supported getting good quality new and used books into the hands and homes of children, youth and adults. CVLLA distributed 3556 books this past year through book distribution events such as Books for Treats (Hallowe’en), Summer Reading Launches, Books for Babies, and Family Literacy Week. Take a book, leave a book libraries were also supported at Public Health Nursing, Glacier View Learning Centre, and the Linc.

All the funds raised through the Raise-a-Reader campaign enable CVLLA to offer rich literacy programming for families, youth, adults, and seniors. It also enables CVLLA to support other non-profit learning organizations by providing books and other learning resources to their clients or students. For example, each family who attended the

Hop with Me program (Comox Valley Family Services) this summer received a beautiful new book. And all the children and youth who attended the Rec and Read program offered

by Courtenay Recreation and School District #71 were given books to support their learning.

Danielle Hoogland, CVLLA’s Literacy Outreach Coordinator and Program Manager says: “Funds raised through Raise-a-Reader this year will go toward family literacy outreach programs, literacy events such as Books for Treats and Family Literacy Week, and will of course fund our book distribution. Last year we gave away 3556 books to children, youth, and adults. This was over 1000 more books distributed than the previous year. In 2015-2016, we’d like to get 1000 more books into the hands and homes of Comox Valley residents.”

Beyond distributing books, CVLLA also creates opportunities for youth and adults to connect one on one with community learning organizations. Last year, CVLLA, the John Howard Society, Vancouver Island Regional Library Courtenay Branch, Creative Employment Access Society and the Wachiay Friendship Centre offered a “drop-in and connect” program at the Courtenay library so that library patrons could connect with community supports. “We understand that the critical piece in service delivery is the relationship.

For many folks, having a relationship with frontline workers such as youth outreach workers, librarians, career counsellors, or literacy practitioners, is paramount. Once the relationship is formed, they may be more inclined to engage in

The Comox Rotary Club is an inclusive group of service-minded leaders who are dedicated to improving the quality of life locally and internationally.

We are guided by a strong commitment to integrity, goodwill, and fellowship We are proud to support Raise-A-Reader and literacy programs in the Comox Valley.

A father takes a moment to read a book with his child during Family Literacy Week 2015. a learning program or seek additional community supports,” says Hoogland.

Raise-a-Reader funds allow CVLLA to outreach, to respond to community needs, to support other agencies who provide service to the public, to deliver comprehensive well-resourced programs, and of course, to celebrate literacy and learning. Every dollar received is doubled through in-kind donations. CVLLA has no office to heat and only has two material assets – a computer and phone. That means that the majority of their funds go directly to literacy programming, activities and resources that benefit Comox Valley children, youth and adults.

For more information contact the Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association by email at dhoogland@shaw.ca or by phone at 250-897-2623.

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Adult Learning Centre Do you know someone who would benefit from free tutoring?

Now accepting new learners!

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FREE ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS 1507A McPhee Ave, Courtenay (across from Courtenay Elementary)

Monday to Thursday 9:00 - 4:00

• Reading • Writing • Financial Literacy • Math • Computer Workshops • English as 2nd Language

LYNN Executive Director

MARCELLA Coordinator

DEE Coordinator

ADELLE Admin Coordinator

Now offering one-on-one ESL tutoring and conversation groups!

If you have skill that you could share in any of the offered areas, please call the Adult Learning Centre at 250-338-9906, or email info@cvalc.ca.

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1000 x 5: For the Community By the community

WHO RECYCLES BOOKS? WE DO!!

We live in the age of re-purpose, re-use, and re-cycle. So why not recycle books?

That is exactly what the 1000x5 program does and gives them to families who need them!

The 1000x5 program was started by Daphne McNaughton, a teacher in Victoria, BC. Through working with her students, she realized that the “mental nourishment” children obtained from being read to at the earliest age was invaluable. She calculated that if children were read one story a day from birth to age 5, it would be equal to approximately 1500 books. From this she derived 1000 books by age 5 - 1000x5 was born!

Reading to children helps their minds develop and absorb vocabulary. Also, they

learn story construction and feed their imagination. People ask why read to infants? It is proven that babies hear the sound and rhythm of language and greatly benefit from being read to. The best part however, regardless of age, is the quality time spent with parents and family.

1000x5 collects gently used books from community families who no longer need them. Working with agencies dedicated to families, they are distributed to children who do.

If you have books to donate,or would like to be involved,in our program,please visit our website at: comoxvalley1000x5@ gmail.com -Dianne Bruon 1000x5 Coordinator (grumpybearwear@shaw.ca)

Building Readers for a

Better Community.

FASD Key Worker Program Supporting all families in the Comox Valley with children and youth with FASD and other Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions.

No diagnosis needed.

Focus on family–centered service.

Confidential family supports, resources, support groups, help coordinate services across systems (social services, assessments, education, health, recreation) and recreational family activities.

Extensive resource library available to families and other community agencies.

We are proud to support Raise-aReader Literacy Programs in the Comox Valley.

Our services are available to everyone in the community, regardless of ancestry.

For more information please contact: Sarah George at 250-338-7793 ex 224 or Sarah@wachiay.com This program is funded by the Vancouver Island region, Ministry of Children and Family Development.

286 Fifth Street, Downtown Courtenay 250-334-2511 ORDER ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY!

www.laughingoysterbooks.com

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S

School District #71 is proud to sponsor and support the Raise a Reader initiative

School District 71 Vision School District 71 Vision

“A learning community that embraces diversity, honors relationships and prepares all learners for a changing world�

We have rich literacy programs in all of our schools

Visit one of our Early learning programs at one of our

Strong Start 5 Centers Located at Brooklyn, Queneesh, Courtenay Elementary, Cumberland and outreach centers at Royston, Aspen and Puntledge Visit the school web sites for additional information and hours of operation for these programs

www.SD71.bc.ca

School District #71 is a member of the Comox Valley Life Long Learning Association

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Success By 6 Support children in the Early Years and their families, neighbourhoods and communities In the Comox Valley there is a strong sense of community and stakeholders in the Early Years are working together to engage families and create healthier neighbourhoods and communities. This work is done with passion and by a commitment to move to an integration of services, agencies, ministries and programs. Success By 6 is funded by the Provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development, United Way and the Credit Unions of B.C. It is a community development initiative, focused on prenatal to 6yr olds.

With the recent opening of an Early Years Centre through the Provincial Office of the Early Years grant the host agency, Child Development Association, is coleading, with the Success By 6 coordinator, a new model to implement efficiency in networking opportunities between service and program providers, and leadership.

Together, the Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative have outlined a new strategic plan for the Early Years which include: Increasing awareness of the importance of the early years; strengthening our communities to be healthy, safe environments for all families and children; Improve access to, and sustainability of, all early years services and programs; Increasing the number of local professional development opportunities including mentorships and networking.

Success By 6 contributes funding to programs such as: Books for Babies: Every, tiny baby born on the maternity ward of St. Joseph’s Hospital is gifted a board book.

Mother Goose and More – where English Language Learner parents and their young children come together to enjoy early literacy activities, and have an opportunity to practice speaking and listening to English; Little Learners: Healthy Families program participants are introduced to books, hands-on early literacy activities and library services and access; Hop With Me: is a six week summer program in Simms Park where babies are introduced to developmental play and toddlers engage in outdoor fun.

This year school aged siblings were invited with their family to workshops; Triple P Parenting training: To provide strategies and support to parents to manage childhood behaviours and developmental challenges.

Professional Early Years Lending Library: fill shelves with DVD’s/books for individuals, Early Years staff and community for personal development or as a resource for workshops, meetings, parenting or focus groups; Black Creek Story Walk: Encouraging program facilitators and local families to visit the Black Creek Nature Trail where these wooden frames are installed to hold pages of storybooks that can be read and enjoyed as they walk; Waiting For The Bus and Aboriginal Step Up-Step Out Family Literacy Outreach programs invite isolated fam-

ilies and adults to an 8 week program addressing three literacy areas: food/health literacy, family literacy/early years learning, and adult literacy.

Submitted by Lynn Joseph, Coordinator in the Comox Valley

Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club

What is itis all it about?

What all about?

• Projects both locally and internationally • Rotarians working as one, supporting literacy

• Rotary is a leadership organization.

• We’re made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders • We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and through that, we’re able to get things done in this community.

For more information on Rotary, call

For More Information on Rotary, call

250-897-5055 250-897-5055

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Comox Valley Literacy Round Table

Our Community Adult Literacy Centre

Rotary Clubs join together to support local literacy development

Marcella McDougall The Community Adult Literacy and Learning Society (CALLS) is one of several recipients of Raise A Reader grants from the Comox Valley Campaign. The campaign for 2015 is soon coming to a close and we want to share with the community our proposal for spending grant money for 2016, which in part will enhance last year’s initiatives. We also want to express our appreciation to the sponsors and to the generosity of individual donors from the Comox Valley and for our partnership with the Lifelong Learning Association, the Comox Valley Record and the Echo newspapers.

The grant received from the campaign in 2015 has been used to support three important areas of literacy. The first project supported the provision of Financial Literacy Training. A programme was delivered that helped our learners develop habits and skills to improve their ability to manage personal finances. This was a popular project, designed by ALC Director, Lynn Moseley, and an excellent use of funding in a much needed area of literacy.

The funding also supported projects within the basic Adult Literacy programme. In conjunction with the funding received from the Ministry of Advance Education we offered our learners support in the area of computer literacy and in literacy for seniors. Over the past few years the number of learners coming to our organization for computer training has been growing. While many of these learners tend to be seniors, we have also found many of our marginalized learners do not have access to computers or the

Lynn Mosely

Adelle Penner skills required to apply for a job on line.

This coming year we will be introducing programmes for absolute beginners as the demand for basic skills (word, excel, skype, email and Facebook) has been overwhelming. Dee Plante, our Computer Coordinator, will be initiating these new projects.

Finally, the funding was used in the enrichment of English as a Second Language programs for our newcomers to Canada.

The loss of Federal ESL funding limits our ability to provide group projects such as our Canadian culture classes and discussion groups. This coming year, Marcella McDougall, Literacy/ESL Coordinator, will continue to plan with tutors the basic language skills programmes, for one to one language training. But added projects such as intermediate and beginner conversation groups for men and women as well as English Through Song, organized by Adelle Penner, will give a greater opportunity to improve language skills.

The Adult Learning Centre provides free one to one tutoring and mentoring to adults in the Comox Valley in all areas of literacy. We sincerely believe that every dollar we receive helps us promote literacy and lifelong learning. For the past 22 years our society has been dedicated to serving learners in the Comox Valley who need support to upgrade their skills in Math, Reading, Writing, Computer skills as well as English as a second language.

For more information contact: Adult Learning Centre programmes contact: Lynn Moseley, Director at info@ cvalc.ca or 250 338 9906

Table spearheaded the 1000x5 project to provide books for 0-5 year-olds, and most recently a Bursary for students enrolling at North Island College to take upgrading courses in preparation for further training.

Local Rotary Clubs will continue to work together to improve literacy for children and adults in our community.

For more information: Christine Dickenson, Cumberland Rotary Club, at chrisda@shaw.ca

EXPLORE, LEARN, GROW

Literacy opens a world of possibility.

Maybe you want to complete your Grade 12. Maybe you want to begin a career. Maybe you want to read more comfortably. www.nic.bc.ca

Dee Plante

Rotarians worldwide recognize the important role that literacy plays in the development of strong and healthy communities. High levels of literacy ensure against poverty, ill health and under-employment. A skilled workforce is essential for the well being of whole communities, and the national economy. The development of strong community literacy programs for children and adults is a priority for Rotary International.

In the Comox Valley, all four Rotary Clubs participate in a Round Table so that they can work jointly to address these priorities. Established just over two years ago, founding members of the Round Table were Anita Wotschel, Dave McDonald, Marty Douglas, Kate Hackett, and Christine Dickinson. Working with the support of all Valley Rotarians, the Round

NIC’s Math and English Upgrading courses can help you reach your goals. They are flexible, and start several times a year. And, you can learn at the level that is best for you. Plus, NIC Education Advisors are here to help you, every step of the way.

Want to explore your options?

Call an Education Advisor at 1-800-715-0914

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Thank You for Helping

Raise Readers

Thank you to our many volunteers, readers, individual donors and especially our sponsors for their support of literary programs in the Comox Valley. Your generosity towards family literacy and literacy initiatives in the Comox Valley has a lifelong learning impact!

Comox Valley

Adult Learning Centre

Lifelong Learning Association

Strathcona Sunrise

Club of Comox

Club

Club of Courtenay