 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
History |
The Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) is a non-profit organization that helps adults achieve their personal learning goals. Beginning in Kings County in 1989 as the Kings County Learning Association, the organization provides a forum for learners, community groups, instructors, tutors, publicly funded agencies and businesses to enhance the literacy levels of community members and new immigrants in both Kings and Annapolis Counties. |
From the beginning VCLA has developed programming to meet the various needs of adult learners. Since 1994 VCLA has partnered with the Flowercart to provide literacy classes for people with intellectual disabilities and worked with the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia and their Inroads program for people with acquired brain injury. Until its dissolution a few years ago, VCLA partnered with St. Leonard Society to provide upgrading to adults on probation and parole. |
The Provincial Government through the Department of Labour and Workforce Development has core responsibility for adult literacy and as such is the major funder of programming. The Community Learning Initiative (CLI) supports literacy instruction in 31 adult learning networks throughout the province. However, CLI cannot cover all costs and VCLA partners with a number of organizations who provide class space free of charge, resources, computers, and volunteer time. VCLA also has a robust fundraising program which culminates in the Literacy Mile which takes place in the spring. |