Local and National Organizations supporting community literacy development
Local
Our provincial literacy organization. Decoda provides resources, training and funds to support community-based literacy and learning initiatives in over 400 communities across British Columbia. Working with a network of 102 Literacy Outreach Coordinators, we bring together community leaders from education, health, business and government to identify and address local literacy priorities. We work to increase the literacy and learning skills of children and families, youth, adults, and seniors to improve their quality of life at home, at work, and in the community.
We are a local provider of diverse health, social, and volunteer services responding to the priority needs of families and communities on southern Vancouver Island.
Our library is for anyone in British Columbia who has an interest in adult, youth and family literacy. You can borrow materials by mail for free, anytime. We hold more than 6,000 books, DVDs and other materials which relate to the many aspects of literacy.
Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL)
The GVPL offers a variety of books and resources for all ages. They have a dedicated resource sections for those struggling with literacy.
Saanich Peninsula 1000 x 5 Children’s Book Recycling Project
This program started in 2008 on the Saanich Peninsula. Since that time it has grown in size and now includes a program in Victoria and the Westshore. Through this initiative, gently-used children’s picture books are collected from the community. The books are delivered to our collection depot where they are screened for suitability, counted, labelled, sorted, and bagged for distribution to young children (birth-5 years) and their families.
Sidney / North Saanich Library
In 1966, the communities of North Saanich and Sidney joined VIRL and a branch was opened and continues to provide a variety of books, resources and programming for the public.
Greater Victoria Alliance for Literacy
The Greater Victoria Alliance for Literacy (GVAL) aims to build capacity to support literacy agencies to engage and refer people with literacy challenges in Greater Victoria, as well as assist these agencies to development and sustain their commitment to literacy learning and professional development.
GVAL also wants to specifically support the agencies that provide services for indigenous learners and newcomers, and deliver high level professional development opportunities for literacy tutors in local literacy organizations.
Saanich Peninsula Early Years Centre
Come visit our welcoming space for families, caregivers and professionals! Beacon’s Peninsula Early Years Centre gives one-stop access to practical supports, information, and community resources for children from birth to 6 years old, hosts fun family activities, and supports parents in enhancing their understanding of early childhood development.
READ Victoria and Literacy Victoria have merged to form the Victoria Literacy Connection. We help children, youth and adults gain literacy and essential skills, including reading, writing and mathematics. We respond to the emerging needs of our communities and collaborate to make literacy and essential skills accessible to all.
National
A national, non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. We achieve our goals through leadership in programs, communications and partnerships. ABC Life Literacy Canada envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life.
Organization that supports children’s literacy by getting books into the hands of children through their books for benefit program.
Frontier College is a national literacy organization. We believe literacy is a right. We work with volunteers and community partners to give people the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential and contribute to society.
Our goal is to give you the tools and information that you need to make better financial and investing decisions. We provide unbiased easy-to-read information that you can use to make sense of your finances.
Literacy Works is designed to help adults improve basic skills like reading and spelling using real-life stories on topics of interest to adults.
Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) is a charitable nonprofit organization whose aim is to reduce poverty by expanding social and economic opportunity for low-income Canadians.
16 week job search program that teaches you creative ways to learn new job skills and take part in a work experience placement.
StrongStart BC early learning programs provide school-based early learning services for adults and their young children, aged birth to five, at no cost to families. Find a strong start program near you.
The Northern Edge has a Northwest Territories focus. As text is read, the sentence is highlighted in blue. Exercises include comprehension, vocabulary and some consumer math.
West coast reader is a newspaper for adults who are improving their english reading skills. The newspaper is published from September to June.
Saanich Peninsula Literacy 