Supports to Organizations

In the past, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) was a major sponsor of NSPGI fundraiser for literacy through a yearly contribution. LAE continues to support community organizations funded by NSSAL through project funding for PGI grants.

The purpose of the PGI Grants is to enhance and support the participation of adult learners in community programs. LNS funded 17 applications for PGI Grants this year based on criteria approved by LAE. All six regions are represented.

LNS provides licenses for Microsoft Office and Windows 10 for refurbished computers with funding from LAE through the PGI grants.

PGI Grants Support Healthier Ways of Learning at PiCCoLA

PGI Grants help learners at Pictou County Continuous Learning Association (PiCCoLA) to reduce some of the stress of going back to school as an adult. “It’s not easy focusing on learning when you’re hungry or stressed about supplies,” says a PiCCoLA learner. “It definitely made the decision of coming back to a school setting easier and it makes the thought of continuing with my education a little less stressful.”

With funding from PGI Grants, instructors at PiCCoLA created programs to encourage adult learners to adapt to a healthier way of learning through healthier living. The grants have allowed PiCCoLA learners to focus on improving and maintaining of their health both physically and mentally.

PiCCoLA provides adult learning, essential skills and GED programs in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. They have classes in three locations: Pictou, New Glasgow and Stellarton.

PGI Grants helped PiCCoLA provide learner subsidies for transportation where there is no public transportation system. As a result, many students living in the very rural area of the county are able to attend classes. It also enabled their learners to attend workshops, make appointments to write their GED, and attend Family Literacy workshops with their families.

All learners at PiCCoLA can participate in the morning breakfast program, which is provided with PGI Grants. The learners say that having breakfast provided each school day helps them focus on their work and gives them peace of mind. “The breakfast program allows us to come to school not worried about an empty stomach, and with a mind ready to learn,” says a PiCCoLA learner.

Through a PGI Grant, PiCCoLA learners were able to experience the benefits of growing food. PGI funds were used to purchase hydroponic supplies, seeds, and pots. Each learner planted and cultivated seeds to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs. Students studied nutrition, created recipes and examined environmental and social issues related to food and food security.

PiCCoLA uses PGI funding to purchase not only classroom resources such as novels but also learner start up school kits, so that each learner will be equipped with their own backpack, calculator, planner and flash drive. This ensures that each student is properly prepared for class, and helps reduce low self-esteem issues.

To help students learn how to relax and get rid of stress, PGI funds were used to provide materials for yoga classes. A variety of classes have been planned for both adult learners and PiCCoLA families.

“Providing the basics of Adult Education is what we do,” says PiCCoLA Executive Director Carollynne Nemecek. “PGI Grants allow us to go the extra mile – enhancing the learner experience, giving our PiCCoLA students the opportunity to explore activities otherwise unavailable to them.”