Raise-a-Reader: 'We are all learning'

All donations from Postmedia News' Raise-a-Reader campaign are directed to Decoda, which uses the money to support family literacy programs across the province. The campaign has raised more than $24 million. Pictured here, Christine Boyle. Photo by Jupiterimages /Getty Images

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Like a stone thrown into a pond, literacy programs have a ripple effect on entire families, said Maureen Kehler.

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The acting director of Decoda Literacy Solutions has countless examples of parents who attended a story time or other program for their child and connected with support to improve their own literacy.

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As Postmedia News’ Raise-a-Reader draws to a close, the B.C. government announced a $500,000 contribution to support the campaign, which was created by The Vancouver Sun nearly three decades ago. All donations are directed to Decoda, which uses the money to support family literacy programs in B.C. Over the years, the campaign has raised more than $24 million.

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“Reading helps children build confidence and skills that support them throughout their lives,” said Christine Boyle, an NDP cabinet minister who was speaking before the election was called.

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“As a parent, I’ve seen how a book can capture a child’s imagination and keep them coming back for the next one,” said Boyle. “Access to literacy programs and reading resources helps more children discover the joy of reading, supports lifelong learning and creates opportunities to explore and celebrate B.C. books, authors and stories.”

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Kehler said Decoda is grateful for the province’s support, which helps to fund 100 literacy outreach coordinators. The coordinators are spread across the province where they are able to find opportunities to incorporate literacy into existing community organizations and events or meet specific needs.

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“They know the access points and see the gaps,” she said.

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Most communities have some kind of family literacy event, “because parents want to help their children,” as well as digital literacy events for seniors. But some programs are more unique, like having homework assistance available at a bike repair club that kids already attended, or a story time at a food bank to occupy kids while their parents access services.

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Almost always, literacy events are warm, welcoming and based on in-person connections and referrals, said Kehler. That helps to reduce some of the stigma associated with being unable to read.

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The latest large scale literacy survey, Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, found that more than 700,000 British Columbians have significant challenges with literacy. Forty-five per cent of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty understanding newspapers, following instruction manuals, reading health information and other daily living tasks.

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Kehler said literacy skills are the foundation for lifelong learning and can affect the quality of life and the health and social economic well-being of individuals, families and communities.

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She said learning to read is “hard work” and doesn’t happen in just a few weeks. Some of the reasons adults may not have learned to read include childhood trauma, or moving schools often, as well as learning disabilities. She applauded teachers, but said the education system is big and “people fall through the cracks.”