Message from Literacy Nova Scotia

Our Mission: Literacy Nova Scotia provides leadership to advance literacy by ensuring that all Nova Scotians have equal access to quality literacy, essential skills, and lifelong learning opportunities.

It has been another successful year of supporting adult learning at Literacy Nova Scotia!

Last September, we were asked to be part of a national group to help develop a statement ‘Choose Success – Invest in Literacy’ and a backgrounder paper. Both were issued on International Literacy Day on September 8 and were sent to each of the political parties in advance of the federal election on October 21, 2019. We also helped develop a list of questions that voters could use with their local candidates prior to the election. LNS collaborates nationally with many groups and we facilitate the transfer of information about literacy across Canada. As we receive research reports about the need for resources, programs and curriculum for adult learners, we share them in our communications and post them on the LNS Resource Hub.

Literacy Nova Scotia continues to work in partnership with the Atlantic Provinces on the Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project. Cohort #1 was completed this past spring in the Municipality of Barrington area. This cohort was very successful as people from the community obtained full-time employment, local employers received training to help with retention of their employees, and the community engaged in sharing useful new resources. Cohort #2 began in early February in the Digby area. We were able to complete the participant classroom portion and are looking at offering the mentor training online. The circumstances in the fishing sector are changing daily and we are working closely with our partners.

Recently, many of us have had to change our working and learning habits and environments as we continue to monitor and act in accordance with the recommendations from the various health agencies on the spread of COVID-19. In the best interest of our staff and board of directors, a decision was made to have staff work from home until further notice. We have continued our services and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. All LNS public events or gatherings have been cancelled or moved online. The cancellation of our major annual fundraiser, the NSPGI Dinner and Auction will impact our organization greatly. We would like to thank the supporters of the NSPGI event who have graciously agreed to donate their financial sponsorship contribution to LNS. Because of this support, LNS was able to provide NSPGI learner financial awards to our 2020 recipients.

Danny Cavanagh
Chair

Jayne Hunter
Executive Director