Carlington Community & Health Services
Ottawa, Ontario
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| Start/End Date |
The centre has been offering literacy classes for 10 years: the first four in a stand-alone community gymnasium, before moving the program to the Community & Health Services building.
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| Goals |
Through its literacy and other programs, the CCHS seeks to promote the social, economic, physical, mental and environmental health of the community and its members.
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| Objectives |
To provide individualized literacy training to low literate members of the community, preparing them for employment and raising their self-esteem.
To render such training in a supportive, convenient, and accessible manner.
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| Methods/Activities |
A professional literacy trainer conducts full-morning classes, four days a week.
Classes are multi-level, so students progress at their own level and pace.
Students with health concerns and related information needs are easily referred to other departments of the Community & Health Services.
Since the centre is located outside the immediate community, daily transportation and childcare services are provided as most cannot afford them.
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| Source of Funding |
The Ottawa School Board pays the literacy trainer's salary.
For many of the students, attending literacy classes qualifies them for childcare support under the Ontario Works program. Students have opted to pool these funds to finance the centre's childcare service.
The centre fundraises to maintain the transportation service.
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| Population Served |
The student population is always in flux, but there are approximately 15 adults enrolled in the course at any given time. The majority tend to be women, and most are unemployed with children.
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| Evaluation |
Evaluation information to come.
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| Annual Budget |
The transportation and childcare service runs on an average $3,000-$4,000 annually. The literacy trainer receives an average salary, commensurate with her hours, trainers' skills and responsibilities.
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| Structure |
One professional literacy trainer;
Several volunteers who assist the trainer and students in the classroom;
An average of 15 students - the classroom's capacity - enrolled at any given time;
Two primary education students, who oversee child care; and a
Bus driver, who makes 6 daily rounds of the community.
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| Contact |
Anne Joyce (ABE Program Coordinator & Social Worker)
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