Regional Literacy

Community Connections for Success

Houston Public Library and Houston Link to Learning are currently partnering to deliver a Family Literacy program called Community Connections for Success (CCS).  This 10 month program (from September 2002 to June 2003) consists of Family Literacy programming with a Community Kitchen as a major component.The project has the following objectives:

Increase reading, writing, math and comprehension skills for program participants.
Provision of nutritious meals for participants and families.
Provision of an environment for positive networking amongst participants, and to encourage access to and participation in community services and programs.
Increase attendance, and improve retention in Adult Basic Education and Literacy programs.
Strengthening of family and community relationships of participants.
Ensuring age-appropriate education for participants' pre-school age children
Further participants understanding of the school system and how to support their children's education.

CCS is based on the four-component family literacy model consisting of: adult education/literacy training, age-appropriate child education, parent-child together time, and parenting training and personal development. In addition to the above objectives, the program will also offer workshops and training opportunities to the entire community to help parents develop the skills they need to support their children's education. Coordinator: Marian Ells Marian can be contacted at (250) 845-7266 extension 5910 or via fax at (250) 845-5907 or by mail at Box 1277, Houston, B.C. V0J 1Z0 or a href="mailto:connections@nwcc.bc.ca">via email. Community Connections for Success is made possible by financial support from the Bulkley Valley Foundation, Houston CARES Grants for Families, the B.C. Adult Literacy Cost-Shared Program (Ministry of Advanced Education and the National Literacy Secretariat), the Vancouver Foundation, Ministry of Children and Family Development Family Resource Program and Literacy BC Family Literacy Funding. The program is also supported by Northwest Community College , the Houston Salvation Army, the Houston Seniors' Association, the Houston Friendship Centre, Houston Community Services, Houston CARES, the District of Houston, and numerous businesses and volunteers in the community.