LNS will celebrate Adult Learners’ Week by holding a public celebration on April 5th at the Halifax Central Library with guest speakers talking about their learning experience as adults. Any adult in a learning program can send in their story for inclusion in the ebooklet. All eligible submissions received by March 9 will have the chance to win an iPad Mini!

We have asked Premier MacNeil to proclaim the week of April 1- 7th as Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) in Nova Scotia and urge all citizens to observe Adult Learners’ Week and to be fully aware of the importance of a lifetime full of learning in all aspects of their lives. Dartmouth Learning Network has asked HRM Mayor Savage to proclaim this week in the Municipality of HRM as well. Have you asked your municipal leader? Here’s a template which may be of use in your efforts.

We have been funded by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) to undertake an environmental scan as Phase 1 of the development of a mental health module for inclusion in the NS Practitioner Training and Certification Program. We are looking for two Advisory Committee members from the adult learning field or health community who have knowledge and expertise in mental health. If you are interested, send an expression of interest, outlining your experience with adult literacy and knowledge of mental health concerns to jayne.hunter@nscc.ca by Monday March 12. Please feel free to share this opportunity with others!

If you have resources to share, please upload them to the LNS Resource Hub. We will be adding mental health resources for practitioners with specific teaching techniques during our research phase. We’ve uploaded the latest analysis on PIAAC which examines the extent to which literacy, numeracy, and PS-TRE are associated with health and civic and social engagement. Set up your free account for access to all these resources, including the ALP curriculum documents.

We’re still in the planning stages for the April organizational fundraising strategy workshop. It will be useful in our planning if we know who might be interested. We’ve narrowed the dates to either April 27th or 28th and the location will be in Truro or Halifax. Registration will be available in April’s eNews.

We use MailChimp as our method of communication. We send an eNews the first Wednesday of each month. Don't forget to add literacyns@nscc.ca to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please share the eNews with others in your organization and encourage all to subscribe.

Literacy Nova Scotia is registered as a charity at the upcoming Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax in May. Get involved, have fun, raise money to support literacy with Team LNS at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge or at NSPGI 2018.

Important Date Reminders: March 31, PGI grant applications and reports due.

Adult Learners' Week 2018: Enter your story about how improving your literacy skills has made a difference in your life. Your stories inspire others to continue learning. All eligible submissions will have the chance to win an iPad Mini and be published in the Adult Learners' Week 2018 ebooklet.

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in our 2018 Fall issue! Please encourage your learners to write stories about their Nova Scotia hometowns for the Community Map feature. Email them to Marie David by Friday, April 27th. Read more

Register now for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules offered in March 2018:
• Literacy, Adult Learners and You
• Supporting English as an Additional Language Adult Literacy Learners (EAL ALLs)
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule. Read more about PT modules offered in March and April. Contact Marie David at marie.david@nscc.ca or 1-800-255-5203.

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. Email Elaine Frampton to request a registration code and create your account!

IT Fund: $10,000 is available. Community based learning organizations can apply for up to $1,000 per year. Funds are to be used for equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. This can include computers, printers, software, laptops, ipad minis, and assistive technology software. Technical support will be considered and cell phone expenses may be considered. Read more information on criteria and application process. Funds provided by LAE.

The PD Fund has been fully committed for this year. We will accept applications for opportunities taking place after March 31st only. New applications will not be reviewed until confirmation of 2018/19 funding has been received.

Computers for Schools: Does your learning organization need refurbished computers? We offer our LNS members laptops, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, cables, etc. Place your orders today. We still have 18 systems left in this year's allotment. For those who already put in a small order this year: you may request additional systems.

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March 7 - 29, 2018 at locations in Nova Scotia
Presented by Lunenburg Queens Volunteer Partnership, these free networking events are designed for volunteers, board members and staff of nonprofit organizations, who are invited to connect with other organizations, share what works well, and brainstorm solutions to challenges. Read more

Wednesday March 21, 2:30pm at River John Library and Wednesday March 28, 3:30pm at New Glasgow Library
Sessions presented by Craig Graham, Service Canada.

Adult Learners’ Week celebrates adult learners and the joy of learning throughout life. You are invited to join the Adult Learners’ Week conversation online! Share your adult learning success stories and photos on LNS social media. #ALW18 Social Media Guide

Thursday April 5, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00pm at Halifax Central Library
You will hear inspiring stories from adults who changed their lives by upgrading their literacy and essential skills. Please join us in celebrating the power of adult learning! RSVP by March 30th to 902-897-2444 or literacyns@nscc.ca   Read more  

Saturday April 7, 2018 from 10:00am – 3:30pm at Findlay Community Centre, 26 Elliot Street, Dartmouth
Learn how to create better relationships with learners through clearer communication; practice listening strategies, setting boundaries, making your teaching transparent and not to give advice. Contact Marie David at 1-800-255-5203 or marie.david@nscc.ca    Read more

Saturday May 19, 2018 in Halifax NS
Join Team LNS and walk, run or wheel the Lifemark 5k race on May 19th in Halifax! Your participation in this exciting fundraiser will help ensure that Nova Scotians have access to literacy, essential skills, and lifelong learning programs. Read more

Wednesday, March 21 from 3:00 - 7:00pm at NSCC Burridge Campus
The Yarmouth Job Fair showcases opportunities that exist within Yarmouth County, and helps determine the hiring needs of local companies and the employment needs of the local job seeker. For more information, contact Karla LeBlanc at 902-742-5859.

Friday March 23 at 6:30pm, Glasgow Square Theatre, New Glasgow NS
Challen​ge your brain for a cause that helps it grow - the public library! Money raised will be used for collection development in Pictou and Antigonish County libraries. $15 per person, $90 for a table of six. To register, call 902-755-6031.

Friday April 13, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00pm at Dartmouth North Community Ctr
Free to everyone, the job fair offers job seekers the opportunity to speak directly with Burnside businesses that are hiring for full and part-time positions. Read more

Monday June 18, 2018 at Fox Harb'r Resort in Wallace, Nova Scotia
Register now for our biggest annual fundraiser and enjoy a fabulous day of golf, fun, friendship, food and entertainment at one of Nova Scotia's premiere golf courses! You will be inspired by the success stories of our NSPGI Learner Achievement Award recipients, who changed their lives by returning to learning. Net revenue raised at the NSPGI will stay in Nova Scotia and will be used by LNS to support adult learners.
Read more    Sponsorship Opportunities Available

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Employment and Social Development Canada is seeking funding proposals from organizations for implementing innovative local and regional scale projects to engage youth between 15 and 30 years old in community service opportunities. Proposals must be received by March 13, 2018. Read more

Let’s Encrypt is a free, automated, and open certificate authority that allows website owners to obtain and renew digital certificates in order to enable secure (HTTPS) connections. Resource

This is a case study of how Kitchener, Ontario cultivated the power of its residents to develop a neighbourhood strategy that would reduce poverty and create more ways for neighbours to connect with one another. Resource

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - February 2018
Canadian Society of Association Executives - March 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - March 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Valley Region - March 2018
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - February 2018
NWT Literacy Council - March 2018
Tech Tips - February 2018
Tamarack Institute - February 2018
Transforming Lives - February 2018
Volunteer Canada News - February 2018
World Education / US - February 2018