Welcome: Diana Twiss and Helen Dempster

Introducing…. New LBC Staff Member

This fall, we welcome a new addition to the Literacy BC staff, Diana Twiss. Diana joined us on a one-year assignment from Capilano College in September as Special Advisor, Regional Coordination.

As part of her participation in outreach work, Diana has been representing Literacy BC at Literacy Now community planning meetings and School District Literacy Plan Regional Forums. Diana’s role also involves working with partners and stakeholders to make the case for full-time, sustained funding for Regional Literacy Coordination.

Diana says: “In general, I have been positioning myself to do Literacy BC outreach work, getting the word out about what Literacy BC can offer in specific instances – i.e. at Literacy Now and District Literacy Plan tables… with the ultimate goal of raising awareness about literacy and helping to provide vital coordination in a complicated field.” Diana can be reached at: DTwiss@cdo.capcollege.bc.ca

… Welcome to the new Lower Mainland Regional Literacy Coordinator

As of October 1, BC has a Regional Literacy Coordinator (RLC) for the Lower Mainland, Helen Dempster. The Lower Mainland RLC position is a partnership between Vancouver Community College, Kwantlen University College and Douglas College.

Helen has taught literacy and upgrading for Malaspina University-College, Cowichan Campus where she worked at the storefront Reading and Writing Centre, mostly with aboriginal learners. Prior to working on Vancouver Island, Helen was a Basic Education Instructor at the King Edward Campus of VCC, where she is currently teaching an ABE class, and recently returned from Korea where she taught ESL to middle and high school students.

In addition to teaching, Helen has worked for the BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses, coordinating over 50 counseling programs for children, and was executive director of the Comox Valley Transition Society.

Helen brings maturity, experience, commitment and a sense of humour to her work. She says: “I am very much looking forward to using my skills and passion, which is fired by learners’ stories, to facilitate coordination and collaboration among the players in Literacy in the Lower Mainland Region.” Helen can be reached at her office at VCC/home office - Phone: 778-549-4641, email: helendempster@telus.net

Wazi Dlamini-Kapenda , Literacy BC Manager, Provincial
Training and Development (left) and new RLC Helen Dempster