The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Submitted by Community Adult Learning Centre The Community Adult Learning Centre has opened its doors again. In the 19 years that the centre has been open, many individuals have taken advantage of the services offered. Many have been successful in their academic endeavours whether it is for personal, educational or work related reasons. What does literacy mean? Literacy is not just reading and writing. It is about respect, opportunity and development. Literacy gives people the tools with which to improve their livelihood, participate in the community, decision making, access information about health care, and much else besides. Literacy for one person isn't literacy for another. Being literate depends on what you need or want at a certain time. Literacy isn't something people either have or don't have. The need to upgrade skills is part of a lifelong continuum. It isn't something that is suddenly completed. Literacy has played an important role in providing Canadians with one of the highest standards of living in the world. However, about half of adult Canadians (42 per cent) don't have the literacy skills needed to take full advantage of opportunities in the global-based economy. Canadians must be more skilled in reading, writing, counting and computing to compete for jobs in today's market. Literacy and life skills are the basis for lifelong learning. Quality of life Higher literacy levels can result in a better quality of life through reduced poverty, lower unemployment, and decreasing public assistance. Other positive impacts include improved self-confidence, parenting skills, increasing number of job prospects, and participation in community life in general. The majority of literacy services are carried out by community organizations. The Community Adult Learning Centre is one of these organizations. Come to our open house on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., lower level of the Co-op. Learn what we have to offer. Learn about Manitoba Stages and the Essential Skills that have become so important in this knowledge-based world Support our tag day on Friday, September 16. Remember, literacy is a human right. Literacy and essential skills are everyone's business!
