Released on October 3, 2006
Nine communities will engage in community literacy programming this year with the support of over $575,000 from the SaskSmart Innovations Fund. With these funds, new innovative programs that focus on family and workplace literacy will begin this fall across the province."I can't emphasize enough that literacy skills are critical to the success of individuals to participate in the labour market and to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families," Premier Lorne Calvert said at today's announcement. "I congratulate these funding recipients because they have taken ownership of their community's literacy challenges, and are working closely together to provide community-based responses."
Newly formed community partnerships submitted proposals to the Saskatchewan Literacy Commission in the summer after conducting local literacy needs assessments. After reviewing the available resources, the partnerships designed literacy plans to address their local needs. In this first year of the SaskSmart Innovations Fund program, the partnerships will receive funding in the range of $50,000 to $80,000 to implement community-based literacy programs.
"The SaskSmart Innovations Fund will create new opportunities for Saskatchewan people to gain necessary literacy skills in communications, mathematics, science and technology," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Literacy Commission Deb Higgins said. "These are the skills needed for success in every day living – at home, in the workplace and in the community."
Earlier this fall, the SaskSmart Innovations Fund also provided 15 communities with Expressions grants of $10,000 each to develop local Community Literacy Plan proposals for submission for funding in 2007-08.
The Saskatchewan Literacy Commission works closely with community partners to co-ordinate the human and financial resources dedicated to literacy in the province.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609 Email: jacquie.mclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306) 535-2261 | Caroline MacMurchy Saskatchewan Literacy Commission Regina Phone: (306) 787-2663 Email: caroline.macmurchy@slc.sk.ca |
Kathy Hancock Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-1305 |