The Canadian federal election is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2019. There are many great websites with resources to encourage voting: Elections Canada has various learning resources, along with Canadian Vote Coalition and ABC Life Literacy Canada. I’ve been part of a national group that has developed questions (en francais) that can be used with your local candidates, along with a statement (Choose Success) and backgrounder (The State of Literacy in Canada). I encourage everyone to vote on October 21st!

The NSSAL Community grants have been awarded to 18 community learning organizations for a total of $49,970. The NSSAL IT Fund application has been updated and there is currently $8000 in this account.

We have a full house with 70 registered from the community learning organizations for the Professional Development Conference for Practitioners: Reducing Barriers, Opening Doors, to be held on October 24 — 25, 2019 in Truro! All confirmed registrants have received a session selection form which is due October 4th. If you have not already booked your accommodation, you will need to call the Holiday Inn directly (902-895-1651) to inquire if any rooms are still available at the LNS rate.

LNS collaborates nationally with many groups and we facilitate the transfer of information about literacy across Canada. We received an inquiry about the need for resources, programs and curriculum for low level learners from ABC Life Literacy Canada. What do you see as the gaps in meeting the needs of adults at the lowest literacy levels? As we receive various research reports from across Canada, we will share in our enews and then post on the LNS Resource Hub.

I will be talking about our Literacy Action Week during the ABC Life Literacy Canada webinar on Civic Engagement on October 15th. Literacy Action Week is held the first full week in November. We’ll be encouraging you all to take part in the social media campaign by posting selfies. The webpage will be updated in mid October. We enjoyed seeing the response from last year.

Please ensure you have updated our contact information as the older emails will not be accessible for much longer. To contact the office staff: info@literacyns.ca ; Heather.Lauther@literacyns.ca ; Marie.David@literacyns.ca ; Jayne.Hunter@literacyns.ca

A national strategy has been developed to identify organizations that could use recovered food as part of their programming, and to enable them to get access to the surplus edible food that is available in Canada. Please complete the following survey by Friday October 11.

Reducing Barriers: Opening Doors
October 24 - 25, 2019 at Holiday Inn Truro, 437 Prince St, Truro NS
Once again, LAE and Literacy Nova Scotia are pleased to offer this professional development conference for practitioners within NSSAL’s community learning organizations. Through the informational presentations and practical workshops, the conference aims to have an impact on reducing the barriers for diverse adult learners across the province. We are fostering a culture of safe spaces where individuals walking through the doors of our community learning networks feel seen, heard, and valued.
Registration is closed. Wait list registration only (CLOs)     Conference Agenda       Website   Questions? Contact Marie David
The conference is funded by LAE and supports the work of the NSSAL Review.

New This Year! Literacy Nova Scotia Bursary for a NSCC Truro Campus Student
LNS is pleased to fund a bursary designated for a NSCC Truro Campus student through the NSCC Foundation. One $1,500 bursary is available to students enrolled at NSCC Truro Campus in specific programs. Application Deadline: October 15, 2019
 

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for Fall 2019:
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU!: Oct 7 – Nov 1
• Teaching Math: Basic Principles: Oct 7 – Nov 1
• Integrating IT Skills into Your Teaching: Nov 4 – 29
• Techniques for Teaching, Reading, Writing and Spelling: Nov 4 – 29
• What's Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner: Nov 16 at Halifax Central Library – Room 301, 10:00am to 3:30pm   Learning Outcomes
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. The new schedule of modules for October 2019 – June 2020 is available. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.
 

Creative Writing Workshops: Jenni Blackmore is available for creative writing workshops. Contact Marie David for more workshop information or to host a workshop for your learners. Lunch and workshop materials are provided.

NSSAL IT Fund: 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.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. New PD Fund online application forms are now available. There are separate forms for individuals (maximum $1000/year) and groups (maximum $4000/year).

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.
 

October 15 from 11:00am - 12:00 noon at location
The federal election is fast approaching. But after the polls close on October 21, how can we continue to stay involved? How can we continue to make a difference in our communities? How can we keep our leaders accountable? Moderated by Paul Bishop, ABC Programs Coordinator, the webinar will feature three panelists:

• John Beebe — Senior Advisor, Democratic Engagement at Ryerson University
• Loretta Tang — Senior Services Specialist, Community Outreach and Engagement at the Toronto Public Library
• Jayne Hunter — Executive Director at Literacy Nova Scotia

Register
 

October 16, 3:00 - 4:00pm at 73 Tacoma Drive, Suite 302, Dartmouth NS
This webinar includes a Q & A with the winner of the 2019 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award, Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV). Their winning program Caring Neighbours combines health, food and financial literacies and creates social connections among vulnerable and socially isolated people. Register
 

October 17 - 19, 2019 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS
This year's conference "Creating Learning Spaces that Encourage Inclusion and Respect Diversity" will provide an opportunity for professionals and researchers working in all areas of adult education to share and explore current research and issues. Conference Website
 

October 23rd from 2:00 to 2:30pm AT
During this webinar, you will learn about the HSBC Family Literacy First program, and ABC Life Literacy Canada's new financial literacy resources for families and how you can use them. Register
 

November 14, 21 and 28, 2019
Clients may come to career services with a history of trauma, including intergenerational trauma, which may occur when the trauma events of one generation influence subsequent generations. In this webinar series, intergenerational trauma is explored, particularly its impacts on Indigenous jobseekers. Register
 

November 20 - 22, 2019 at the Radisson Hotel, Richmond BC
This is an opportunity for literacy practitioners, outreach coordinators and anyone interested in literacy to network, share ideas, and learn promising practices. Register

Danita Curwin returned to school as an adult and completed her GED this year. Danita and 13 other adults from across Canada have received the 2019 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Read more

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:

• Catching Confidence
• Learning Plan Templates and User Guide

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

ABC Life Literacy Canada provides valuable resources for those who want to learn more about voting in elections. Posters:
1. Get to know your Elections Canada office  English  French
2. Who am I voting for?   English   French
3. Work at the federal elections   English   French
Sign up to receive the workbook A Guide to Voting
 

ABC Life Literacy Canada has added three additional workshops to its UP Skills for Work employability skills program on the topics of Stress Management, Adaptability and Confidence. Resources
 

Available in English, French and Simplified Chinese, the activities in Module 12 (Basketball Dreams) and Module 13 (Pedro’s Perritos) cover topics such as how to budget, how to save, and addressing needs and wants. Website
 

The theme of Frontier College's 2019 Annual Report is Literacy is a Human Right. Report
 

ABC Life Literacy Canada News - September 2019
Alphaplus - September 2019
As I Was Saying - September 2019
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - October 2019
Decoda Literacy Solutions - September 2019
NWT Literacy Council - September 2019
Tamarack Institute - September 2019
Tech Tips - September 2019
Transforming Lives - September 2019
Volunteer Canada News - October 2019
World Education / U.S. - September 2019