As part of the Provincial Government’s ongoing commitment to improving adult literacy, today the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education announced a $195,000 investment to support the introduction of a foundational Adult Literacy Pilot Program for guests of The Gathering Place.
This pilot program, delivered through a partnership with the Murphy Centre, will provide participants with individualized training that focuses on building and enhancing basic literacy and numeracy skills as well as technology, time management and organizational skills.
The Provincial Government released a five-year Adult Literacy Action Plan in 2019 to help adult Newfoundlanders and Labradorians gain the literacy skills needed to lead healthier, more productive lives and to fully participate in the province’s economy. Many guests of The Gathering Place have experienced challenges that can present barriers to participation in learning programs. This new program will allow guests to participate in training they couldn’t otherwise access.
This funding will enable the hiring of two learning support workers to determine the learning needs of the guests and design an appropriate program, as well as an additional resource person to assist with personal, social, mental health and other considerations.
The Gathering Place is a non-profit, street level community service centre that provides health care services and social supports to more than 2,000 guests weekly who are homeless or precariously housed. The Murphy Centre is a registered non-profit organization that provides adult education and career and personal development services to over 800 participants annually.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce the launch of a new foundational Adult Literacy Pilot Program for guests of The Gathering Place. This is the type of program that can directly transform the lives of residents. Improving adult literacy helps people become healthier and more productive and leads to a stronger and better province for all.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The Foundational Literacy Program will have a significantly positive impact on the lives of guests at The Gathering Place, as those who avail of the program will learn crucial skills such as technology, time management and organization. We anticipate supporting similar literacy programs in the future based on the success of this pilot program. We will always strive to help people reach their full potential, because it helps our province reach its full potential.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education
“Literacy is a social determinant of health. At The Gathering Place we continue to find innovative and collaborative ways to provide the needed support to assist a guest improve their ability to transition to stability and self-management. Providing literacy services is a tangible example of the importance of collaborative partnerships in providing accessible, low barrier, adult literacy services in the place where marginalized persons feel safe and will therefore have a greater opportunity for success.”
Joanne Thompson
Executive Director, The Gathering Place
“As a learning resource centre, we are very pleased to be part of this initiative to expand the learning opportunities for the guests of The Gathering Place. Guests will be empowered to take ownership of their learning and provided opportunities to advance towards their learning goals. We thank government for their support of this important initiative.”
Tim Turner
Director, Murphy Centre
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Joanne Thompson
The Gathering Place
709-727-7712
joannethompson@thegatheringplace.ca
Tim Turner
Murphy Centre
709-579-6606
timturner@murphycentre.ca