Abbotsford Community Services and University of the Fraser Valley were beneficiaries of a provincial funding announcement to support community-based literacy training both in the region and across B.C. last Monday.

Minister of Advanced Education John Yap, also responsible for multiculturalism, attended ACS in downtown Abbotsford to announce total funding of $2.4 million through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP) to 68 providers across the province, which will serve close to 6,400 people.

Abbotsford Community Services is receiving a total of $64,000 for two CALP projects it has in partnership with UFV.

The Community Access to Literacy and Learning (CALL) program is getting a grant of $40,000 while the Parents and Children Together (PACT) program got $24,000.

Yap also acknowledged

Name a generous real estate agent, win yourself an iPad $70,000 in recent funding for other ACS programs with projects celebrating diversity, addressing racism and building inclusive communities.

CALP projects work to provide instruction and support to adult learners ranging from basic literacy to high-school completion.

The programs feature one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers, small-group classes and other types of learning aimed at adults, aboriginal learners, young parents and others in need of educational supports.

CALP's success is based on strong partnerships between government, public, postsecondary institutions and community organizations with their dedicated volunteers, said Yap.

"Working together, we're opening doors for thousands of adult learners - helping them upgrade their reading and writing skills so they can pursue higher education and training, advance in their lives and careers, and more fully engage in their communities," he said.

? For more information on ACS literacy programs visit abbotsfordcommunityservices.com or call 604-8597681.

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

First reported @ abbotsfordtimes.com