I hope you all had a restful break over the holidays. We’ve come back ready to take on 2022! One of the lessons I want to carry forward is to pause and acknowledge all that has been accomplished. We have a committed board and dedicated staff who are always forging ahead. I want to take this moment to celebrate the past before moving into the future.

The Gift of Reading is the Best Gift! Literacy Nova Scotia Board Member Wendy Kraglund-Gauthier (R) distributed free books for Christmas to ACALA's Organization Administrator Shayla MacDonald.

Many of the activities we have accomplished are through funding and partnership with the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. The Adult Education Division provide funds to support the NSSAL system.

The focus of the NSSAL PD Fund moved to group applications in the fall. Exceptions will be made to allow for individual expenses to be covered through the PD Fund to ensure equity for travel. More details

The NSSAL IT Fund has supported 8 groups. There is currently $9,581.85 remaining. We will now accept a second application from eligible groups (CLOs funded under NSSAL). We will give priority to groups who have not accessed the fund this year but will consider additional applications for up to $1000 from those who have already received funding since July 2021. Please submit quickly to avoid disappointment.

Five modules were offered under the NS Practitioner Training Program. We’ve had 20 new registrants to the program and 27 completed individual modules. The PT team have begun reviewing each module after it’s offered to ensure the material is fresh and relevant. Congratulations to the eight participants who are now fully certified!

The NSSAL Community Grants, totalling more than $50,000, will support 21 Community Learning Organizations. These will be highlighted next month.

The webinars were well received. The offerings were very useful. The majority of participants would like to see a combination of in person conference and webinars going forward. The committee agreed during their debrief. We hope to offer an in person conference next fall with monthly webinars. In the meantime, we are looking at offering a webinar again this May.

The LNS Resource Hub has over 20 new user accounts created and over 40 resources posted, including webinars and handouts from our Webinar Wednesdays series.

Writing workshops were held in Eskasoni in November; Pictou and Windsor in December; and we will be in Amherst in the spring. We were very pleased to be able to offer a print version of the ALW booklet and have sent a copy to each CLO. We are once again encouraging learners to send in their stories about how returning to learning has benefited their lives. Stories are will be included in the booklet and entered into a draw for an ipad. Planning has begun for Adult Learners’ Week, April 3 - 8, 2022!

The Skills and Learning Branch of LSI also funds two Back to Work projects – one in the Fisheries Sector and one for Long Term Care. Both projects are moving along and will be starting the first training cohorts in January.

Another important source of income for Literacy Nova Scotia is through donations and sponsorship of the NSPGI. We held a virtual event during Literacy Action Week, hosted by Mayor Savage and emceed by Rick Mercer. Funds raised are used to support learners. We were able to produce an issue of the Learning Beacon featuring many learner stories and learning activities around food security. We were also able to provide financial support for learners through the scholarship and bursary program.

We received disappointing news prior to the holidays in regards to the federal Sectoral Initiatives Program funding. The program received far more proposals than funding available. Therefore, priority was assigned to projects that focused on persons with disabilities facing challenges across sectors, and to under-represented groups in the tourism sector. Our application in partnership with ANSCLO was denied, as was an application by Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus in which we would have had a role.

My work on the National Advisory Committee on Displaced Workers has wrapped up, and a final meeting and presentation is planned to take place at a conference in March in British Columbia.

The LNS Board has been working on implementing the activities to reach the goals under the strategic plan. At the November meeting, board members received books to distribute in their communities as a way of giving back and encouraging reading over the holidays.

Kelly Mitchell has been hired as the new facilitator for the Yarmouth cohort of the Essential Skills for Nova Scotia Fisheries Project, which starts on January 4th, 2022. Kelly has been hard at work preparing the classroom and materials.

We are actively seeking participants in the Dartmouth and South Shore areas who are looking for an opportunity to work in health care as LTCAs. LTCAs are crucial members of the Health Care team who provide much needed support to Health Care staff and people-in-care in Long-Term, Continuing Care and Residential Care facilities. If you are interested in a career in health care, this 8-week program will prepare you to become a valuable member of the team. At the conclusion of your training, you will have a 4-week paid job placement and an offer of employment in one of the many facilities involved in the LTCA Program. The LTCA program also opens the door to further upgrading opportunities within the health care sector for participants interested in expanding their scope of practice. There is no cost to participants. Your learning tools will be provided, and your Facilitator is looking forward to getting to know you and help tailor the curriculum to meet your learning needs. If you are interested in participating, have clients who might be a good fit, or are an employer interested in benefiting from the LTCA Program, please email Program Coordinator Kate Cober.

Hana Gidney, Digby Area Learning Association
Jane Hennessey, Pictou County Continuous Learning Association
Lindsay Chisholm, Antigonish County Adult Learning Association
Noelle Vassallo, Community Learning Association North of Smokey
Shayla MacDonald, Antigonish County Adult Learning Association
Emma Dabrowski, Kneehill Adult Learning Society, with Alberta Community Learning Network
Allan Duquette, Dartmouth Learning Network
Lola Hill, Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Valley Literacy Network
Their commitment, persistence, and dedication to their learning is commendable. By completing the requirements of the Nova Scotia Practitioner Training Program, they have the foundational skills necessary to understand the adult learning process and can use appropriate teaching methodologies to address learning challenges. As with all lifelong learning, this is only the beginning, and we encourage their participation in additional training as they continue working with learners. Literacy Nova Scotia offers a variety of ways to further your training, and a community of practitioners.

Mildred (Millie) Lambert $1500 Scholarship Recipient (NSCC Cumberland)

Tracy MacDonald $500 Bursary Recipient (Queens Adult High School)

Jessica Muise $500 Bursary Recipient (Yarmouth County Learning Network)

Mary Tilley $500 Bursary Recipient (East Hants Community Learning Association)

These financial awards are made possible through sponsorships and donations to NSPGI for Literacy. Read more

The Learning Beacon is Literacy Nova Scotia's online ezine for adult learners. We would like to receive stories for the Community Map feature in the 2022 issue. Please encourage your learners to write stories about their hometowns and email them to Marie David by Friday, May 6, 2022.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for February 2022:
January 31 – February 25, 2022 (Assignment due February 16)
• The Beginning Reader: Basics
• Learning Challenges

Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203. These modules are funded by the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers) 

NSSAL IT Fund: There are funds available for community-based learning organizations to purchase equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. Read more information on criteria and application process. The NSSAL IT Fund is funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. Online learning opportunities are eligible. The NSSAL PD Fund is funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.
Individual applications are no longer accepted. NSSAL now provides funding directly to the CLOs for individual PD. Exceptions will be made to allow for individual expenses to be covered through the PD Fund to ensure equity for travel. We are able to offer travel support to individuals who need to travel over 300 kms round trip and/or stay in a hotel more than 1 night within the province for Professional Development purposes. The support will be for kms and hotel stays only.
Further information on applying

The 23rd Annual Family Literacy Day (FLD) is Thursday, January 27, 2022. The theme for #FLD2022 is Learning in the Great Outdoors. Families are encouraged to get outside and take 15 minutes of fun spending time in nature, which provides many benefits for our minds as well as our bodies. ABC Life Literacy Canada will again provide Family Literacy Day materials on their website for the celebration for non-profit literacy groups.

• Register your #FLD2022 event
• Social Media Guide
• #FLD2022 Event Coordinator's Guide   Eng   Fr
• Barbara Reid Tip Sheet   Eng   Fr
• Activity Sheet   Eng   Fr
• Activity Book   Eng   Fr
• Bookmark   Eng   Fr
• Poster   Eng   Fr

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LNS Resource Hub was designed for literacy practitioners and adult learning educators who teach, tutor or mentor adult learners in Nova Scotia. It provides a place for sharing and co-developing resources online, and provides forums for discussing best practices in teaching. Since 2017, almost 300 resources have been posted and shared on the LNS Resource Hub. This resource is fully funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system. Recently uploaded resources:

• Northstar Digital Literacy Training - Fall 2021
• Webinar: Helping the Helpers: Recognizing Loss and Restoring Laughter
• E3 Programming Companion
• Webinar: Decolonizing Education Through Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (DETITK)

If you don't already have an account on the LNS Resource Hub, email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.

January 15, 2022, 12:00 to 5:45pm AT, and January 16, 2022, 12:00 to 4:35pm AT
This forum will virtually connect youth aged 18 to 24 who are interested in discussing actions and policies needed to mitigate youth mental health challenges across Canada. For more information, email Marwa Ilali.   Register   Facebook event

Monday to Friday, January 17th - 21st, from 10:00am - 12:30pm via Zoom
Adult Education Division of Labour, Skills, & Immigration will offer CAMERA training to those who haven’t taken it before. Participants are asked to attend all sessions to fulfill the training requirements. Register by emailing your name, organization and mailing address of where you want the training package sent to Anna Ou.  Agenda

Canada’s Volunteer Awards (CVA) recognizes the significant contributions of individual volunteers, non-profit organizations and businesses across the country in helping communities. Nominees can be individuals, groups, businesses, social enterprises or non-profit organizations. Closes March 4, 2022. Read more

Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:00pm AT
For this fundraiser, participants will enter a round-robin Scrabble tournament. The high scorers can team up with celebrity players during the live event. Guests can play trivia, watch entertainment and win prizes. Register by March 1, 2022. For more information, email Jennifer Chow. Read more

• Getting Ready to Celebrate Family Literacy Day: Jan 13, 2022 at 2:00 - 2:45pm AT
  Join ABC Life Literacy Canada for a webinar on the HSBC Family Literacy First program and how you can use it to celebrate Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2022. Register
  
  
• Celebrate Family Literacy Day 2022 with Barbara Reid: Jan 27, 2022 at 5:30 - 6:00pm AT
  Join honorary chair Barbara Reid as she guides families through a demonstration on how to use clay to make a picture. This event is ideal for children in grades 1 to 6. More information   Register
  
  

• Examples & Blueprints to Sell Out Your Next Fundraising Event: Jan 27, 2022 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  Learn how to improve your event marketing strategies. This webinar will be of primary interest to peopleresponsible for fundraising at their organization. Register
  
  
• Cybersecurity Awareness for Canadian Nonprofits and Charities: Feb 17, 2022 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  Learn about different types of cybersecurity threats, how to identify them, and how to protect your organization’s data from cyberattacks. Register
  
  
• Creating a Digital Marketing Funnel in 2022: Google Ad Grants and Beyond: Mar 10, 2022 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  Learn about the best tools to use to move your nonprofit users through your digital marketing funnel, from awareness, to engagement, to action. Register
  
  

• Design Production and Solutions: Jan 12, 2022 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  The second half of the design helix weaves changemakers through the development of new initiatives from animation and prototyping to implementation and sharing, and offers practical tools for each design element. Register
  
  
• Leading a Collective Impact Initiative: Jan 18 and 25; Feb 1, 2022
  Participants is this three-part virtual workshop will gain a solid understanding of the theory and practice of Collective Impact, and the necessary tools and resources to launch and lead a successful Collective Impact effort. Register
  
  
• Design Applications and Lessons Learned: Feb 2, 2022
  at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  Participants will learn from organization leaders who have applied design to their community change efforts. Register
  
  
• Turf, Trust and Virtual Collaboration: Feb 22, 2022, from 2:00 - 5:30pm AT, with group coaching in March
  Participants will walk away with ideas, tools and approaches to effectively engage diverse community partners and intentionally build trusting relationships and collaborative impact. Register
  
  
• The Essential Mindset and Skillsets of Backbone Leaders: Feb 23, 2022, from 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  One of the core conditions of collective impact is the investment in backbone infrastructure to help support the collective effort to move forward. Learn how backbone leaders play unique roles in community change efforts. Register
  
  
• Building a Community-Based COVID Renewal Plan: March 8 and 9, 2022
  Learn 10 really good ideas that will support your community as you build a community-based COVID renewal plan that will reignite people and engage them to work together. Register
  
  
• Participatory Evaluation - Community-Based Assessment and Strategic Learning Practices: March 24, 2022
  This webinar will provide the knowledge and tools needed to support decision-making processes and evaluation practices in community change work. Register
  
  
• Collective Impact 3.0 - Designing a Movement for Change: April 6, 2022
  Participants will learn about the key elements that enable the Collective Impact Framework to fulfill its potential as a catalyst for large-scale change. Register
  
  
• Introduction to Using Theatre for Social Change : April 13, 2022
  Learn why theatre is the perfect vehicle for bringing a diverse group of stakeholders together to determine where you should be focussing your time, energy and resources. Register
  
  

Professor B. Allan Quigley of St. Francis Xavier University lays out probing questions about why so little has changed in his field given a 150-year history of adult literacy education in this article from the Adult Literacy Education Journal.

Learn more about ABC's free workplace literacy program that helps adult learners improve their employability and life skills. More information   Webinar

Created by the Ontario Ministry of Education, these resources include worksheets, learning games, activities and links to online resources for learners at levels equivalent to grades 4 to 8. Resources

ABC Life Literacy Canada - December 2021
As I Was Saying - December 2021: Literacy and the Post-COVID Recovery
Mandate Letters for Federal Ministers
Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities - December 2021
CALP Connections - December 2021
Future Skills Centre - December 2021
Frontier College - Winter 2021
Literacy Council of New Brunswick - December 2021
Tamarack Institute - December 2021
Volunteer Canada News - December 2021
World Education / U.S. - January 2022