It’s been two and a half months since we began working from home. Like everything else lately, it’s been a bit of a contradiction in that it has been long and hard and yet, has gone by in a flash! With all the changes and tragedies there has also been new opportunities. As with many others, we have been moved to take action and will speak out against racism in order to create a more inclusive, equitable and safe province for everyone.

You will see many resources to support the literacy community during Covid-19. If you are like me, sometimes the amount of information coming in is overwhelming. I’ve found the Community Sector Council of NS (CSCNS) to be useful in sorting through what is most relevant to our organization and our members. CSCNS have provided a chart outlining both provincial and federal supports available which is constantly being updated. If you are a non-profit, you may want to consider joining CSCNS (membership is free at this time). You will find a list of various funding opportunities included in this enews.

The Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education has asked us to share with you the list of current opportunities to apply to current provincial agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs). The Spring 2020 deadline to apply for appointments to Adjudicative ABCs is June 22, 2020. You may submit an application, but it will only be considered once the Fall 2020 campaign deadline has passed.

We are winding down our activities in our current agreement with LAE. We anticipate that the new agreement will cover all the supports and programs we are currently able to offer through NSSAL funding. The final online module of the Practitioner Training Program ends on June 20th and a new schedule will be announced for the fall. The PD and IT Funds have been combined to ensure money gets out the door to support CLOs. There is very little remaining and the applications for both are reviewed on a first come first served basis. The current NSSAL grants allowed for reallocation to eligible expenses to meet the current needs of CLOs. The new applications are available online and a new expense category has been added for Covid supports. (link to website) At this time, it’s looking like the fall conference will be a virtual one and we are looking at bringing interesting speakers in for a webinar series. Stay tuned as the planning committee provides further guidance to make the most of opportunities available to us.

Our AGM will be held on June 12th at 2pm. RSVP to info@literacyns.ca by June 10th.

I’ll be looking forward to winding down and taking vacation in the weeks following our AGM. I’ve been encouraged to set boundaries and not fall into the trap of taking too much on - as we often do - through the sage advice of Debbie Lawrence’s podcasts. An article from Charity Village emphasizes that we must also set an example for the rest of the team who are integral to all we do – it’s their enthusiasm and skills that allow us to be a strong organization able to weather any storm.

I wish you all a restful, safe and enjoyable summer.

The Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSFund) will improve the ability of community organizations to serve vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis. The intermediaries are the United Way, Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada (CFC).

Canadian Red Cross will provide the following to non-profit organizations:

• Training and Equipment for preventing disease, transmission training and equipment program   Program guidelines   Application deadline: July 7, 2020
• Financial support Program guidelines   Application deadline: July 7, 2020

Canadian Red Cross will provide the following to registered charities and qualified donees:

• Training and Equipment for preventing disease, transmission training and equipment program   Program guidelines   Application deadline: July 7, 2020

Apply here. Those who are unable to apply online can email covid19communitysupport@redcross.ca or call 1-866-221-2232.


United Way and CFC will provide financial support the following to Qualified donees and registered charities serving vulnerable populations:

United Way
(Some local United Way Centraides may work with non-profit organizations to deliver local services. Please connect with your local United WayCentraide to see if you are eligible.)

• Antigonish County   Application deadline: 8:00am on Friday, June 15, 2020
• Lunenburg   Application deadline: July 17, 2020
• Guysborough, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis Valley, Kings, Hants, Halifax   Application deadline: June 12, 2020
• Colchester County   Application deadline: June 15, 2020 at 4:00pm
• Cumberland County   Application deadline: June 12, 2020
• Cape Breton
• Pictou County   Application deadline: 8:00am on Friday, June 5, 2020

CFC: Application portal   Application guide   More information on the ECS Fund Application deadline: June 21, 2020

Community Sector Council of NS COVID-19 Government Support Measures

Speaking With One Voice on COVID-19: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program Consultation

Masks For Humanity Atlantic Canada

Small Business Reopening and Support Grant
Eligible Businesses, non-profits, charities, social enterprises will be able to access the new Small Business Reopening and Support Grant, a $25 million fund that will provide $5,000 grants to help them open safely and $1,500 business continuity voucher for advice and support to become more resilient in the coming months. If you previously applied for the Small Business Impact Grant, you do not need to reapply. This program will be for businesses ordered closed, and for small retailers and others who were not ordered to close. Applications begin June 1, 2020. More information

Reopening Toolkits
The Halifax Chamber recently released a 5-step plan to help businesses reopen safely. More COVID-19 Resources.
The province has also released a plan on how to operate in the time of COVID-19.

November 5 - 6, 2020 at Holiday Inn Truro, 437 Prince St, Truro NS
LNS invites knowledgeable presenters with experience in adult education facilitation to submit proposals for 90-minute workshop sessions allowing for presentation, interactive activities and discussion. Workshops will need to accommodate groups of 12 - 20 people. We welcome proposals for workshops on, but not limited to, topics ensuring adherence to the theme of Strengthening Community Together. Workshop proposals must be submitted using the online form. We are also looking for keynote, panel and plenary session presenters. The conference organizing committee has been actively monitoring developments on COVID-19 and will announce any changes as necessary. Questions? Contact Marie David  

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the 2020 issue of The Learning Beacon. This is an annual online publication which is posted in November. Please encourage your learners to write stories about their hometowns for the Community Map feature. Creative writing by adult learners could be included in a Student Writing feature. Email your stories to Marie David.

Thank you to all Practitioner Training participants. A new schedule will be available soon.

NSSAL IT Fund and PD Fund: As we are nearing the end of the NSSAL funding contract, the amount of funds available in the NSSAL IT and PD grant programs are limited at this time. There are funds remaining to cover one request for either a PD or IT fund grant. Applications are being accepted and reviewed on a first come, first serve basis and must be received and processed before June 30, 2020.

Computers for Schools: In light of the current COVID-19 situation, Computers for Schools has closed their office until further notice. All current computer orders will be put on hold until they return to their normal operations.
 

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This 12 part webinar series for the non-profit sector in partnership with Unama’ki College of Cape Breton University will be spread out from June to December of 2020 and will be launched in 4 series of learning, with each series consisting of 4 sessions.
Series 1 - Pre-Contact and Early History:
Mi’kmaw Creation Story & Pre-Contact Way of Life: June 2, 1:00 - 3:00pm  Register
Netukulimk, Harvesting, Sustainable Ways of Living, & 7 Generations: June 9, 1:00 - 2:30pm  Register
Contact and Historical Conflicts, Treaties & Significance of Indigenous People’s Day: June 16, 1:00 - 2:30pm   Register
Indian Reserves, the Indian Act, & Confederation: June 23, 1:00 - 2:30pm   Register

HARP the People’s Press has announced the release of Singing to the Darkness: meditations and monologues, a visual inquiry into trauma and resilience by Patricia June Vickers, PhD. Virtual Book Launch Series dates:
Singing to the Darkness: Narrative Inquiry with the author and HARP publisher Dorothy Lander, PhD: June 4 at 8:00pm AT
A Gift of Hope: A Visual Inquiry with Patricia Vickers and Editor Leslie Eliel, Body/Mind Books: June 11 at 8:00pm AT
Indigenous Resiliency: A Conversation with Dr. Martin Brokenleg and Dr. Patricia Vickers: June 18 at 8:00pm AT
All My Relations - Sagyt k’ulum goot (one heart one mind)- Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Patricia Vickers: June 25 at 8:00pm AT
Register to receive Zoom links to sessions

June 9 at 2:00pm AT
What does it look like to create a culture of equity and reconciliation in practice? How do we enable and support change at the individual, community, and systemic levels? Register

June 18 at 2:00pm AT
While we can’t predict the future - especially with COVID19 - Outcome Mapping, and the core concepts, principles and philosophies that drive the practice, can help us engage in the continuous co-creation of sustainable and socially equitable change processes. Register

June 18 at 2:00pm AT
What are charities doing as it relates to email fundraising? This webinar will provide tips and suggestions on how you can improve your own fundraising emails during COVID-19 or anytime. Register

June 25 at 2:00pm AT
Social finance offers a new source of capital for not-for-profits that could allow them to diversify their revenue streams and become more resilient in an increasingly precarious funding environment. Register

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The Nova Scotia Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition was founded in March to address a common goal – to recognize and support a sector that is desperately needed as COVID-19 causes unparalleled job loss and uncertainty, illness and profound loss in our communities. Read more

The shift to working online requires teachers to think a differently about how to build the culture they want with their students. In a traditional classroom, there are standard practices that most teachers use to build the desired culture. In shifting to online learning, these strategies rarely transfer perfectly. Read more

Even if you enjoyed healthy and robust relationships with your organization’s team members in the past, a crisis of this magnitude has the capacity to both deepen and destroy your connections. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain ~ even strengthen ~ relationships and communication during this time. Read more

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LNS Resource Hub is the place for literacy practitioners who teach, tutor or mentor adult learners in Nova Scotia to share and co-develop teaching resources and discuss best practices. Recently uploaded resources:

• Civil Rights: Death of Emmett Till (African Canadian Studies)
• Math Family Fun
• Linking Essential Skills to Curriculum
• African Consciousness As Cultural Continuity
• Mental Math for Level I
• Identifying Values - PowerPoint & Worksheet
• Exceptional Customer Service Skills
• Assertive Communication Skills
• Creating Smart Goals - PowerPoint, Teacher's Notes for Slideshow and Smart Goals Worksheet
• Active Listening - PowerPoint & Skills Exercise

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

These dual-language mini-books support the needs of beginning readers who are acquiring English as an additional language.   Resource

Adult education facilitators support adult learners living with mental health issues on their learning paths. This guide provides information and strategies for supporting adult learners living with mental health conditions or disorders.   Resource

ABC Life Literacy Canada has ten Youth Teaching Adults lesson plans available for free download. Organizations that book a Youth Teaching Adults workshop have access to all 59 lesson plans.   Program description   Lesson plans

This webinar recording provides information on how the Canadian COVID-19 data collected so far can help organizations improve their fundraising.   Resource
Here's the NextAfter Canadian Data Dashboard shared in the webinar.

Initial Impact of COVID-19 on Nova Scotia's Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Resource
APEC Nonprofit Workforce Survey Resource  

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ABC Life Literacy Canada - May 2020
Decoda Literacy Solutions - May 2020
Frontier College - Spring 2020
Inspiring Communities - May 2020
NWT Literacy Council - May 2020
Tamarack Institute - May 2020
Transforming Lives - May 2020
Village Vibes - June 2020
Volunteer Canada News - May 2020
World Education / U.S. - May 2020