Focus On...
Developments in Family Literacy

National Family Literacy Day

Following the success of last year’s first-ever National Family Literacy Day, family literacy programs, coordinators, practitioners and individual families expressed a sense of pride in being part of “something bigger” and are already in the process of developing activities and creating more partnerships for Family Literacy Day 2000 on January 27.

Creating this special day to celebrate families and learning is a very important and powerful community development tool and a great way to get the message out. Partnerships between government ministries (Children and Families, Health, and Education), schools, teachers, community organizations and families are enriched and strengthened as a result, at the provincial and regional levels.

Family Literacy Practitioners: Start thinking about what YOU can do in YOUR program or community

• Materials and resources will be available from ABC CANADA
• All B.C. mayors will be asked to proclaim January 27, 2000 Family Literacy Day in their community
• B.C. Premier Dan Miller is on board with his support for National Family Literacy Day
• Literacy BC will produce a resource/public awareness kit

Start thinking about what you can do for this exciting national event!

Honda Canada support for Family Literacy continues...

Honda Canada has distributed funds from the 1999 Honda Odyssey Car Play Kits to literacy coalitions across Canada, including $15,000 to B.C. The money will be distributed by Literacy BC to qualifying family literacy programs and services over the next few months. Criteria will be set and eligible programs will be asked to apply.

Over the past year, there has been a 55% increase in family literacy programs and services in BC, and the numbers are climbing. At present there are more than 50 family literacy programs and services throughout the province. While family literacy programs provide excellent opportunities for children and families, they can not do this isolation — there is a need for more concrete support and greater awareness on the part of the general public. Thanks to the efforts of partnerships such as ABC CANADA and Honda Canada, opportunities are created and “real” support is provided. And in the end, this is what matters.

On behalf of family literacy programs and services in B.C., we would like to extend our gratitude to Honda Canada for their generous contribution and exemplary efforts over the past year.