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Media Enquiries: Contact Us

CBAL News

CBAL centres to deliver WelcomeBC Welcoming Communities Program


The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour has contracted the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) to deliver the WelcomeBC Welcoming Communities Program (WCP) services in Cranbrook and Kimberley.

Kootenay Advertiser New Story 

CBAL Annual Report presented at AGM

CBAL Annual General Meeting was held on November 1. The meeting was by video conference at selected CBT locations.   

The Annual Report was presented and is now available online

CBAL Reach-A-Reader Campaign 

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CBAL celebrates Reach-A-Reader success

Reach-A-Reader and Family Literacy

Reach-A-Reader and Adult Literacy

Reach-A-Reader - A community event

CBAL Announces Reach-A-Reader Campaign for 2012



CBAL launches annual Reach-A-Reader campaign with Black Press

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Join the Reach-A-Reader campaign– your donations make a difference


Buy your local newspaper from an agent or volunteer on the street.

Your donation goes directly to a program in your community.

The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), a  non-profit charity, joins with Black Press for the second annual Reach-A-Reader campaign on Wednesday, October 10th.

When you buy your local paper from CBAL and Black Press staff, and volunteers out on the town, all funds go to supporting literacy programs in that community.

"The Reach-A-Reader campaign is an important way for us to promote our region-wide commitment to building literacy skills and healthy learning communities," said Ali Wassing, CBAL Executive Director.

This joint campaign demonstrates Black Press's dedication to building literacy skills in the communities it serves and helping CBAL stretch its reach.  Reading is at the heart of CBAL's drive to help citizens improve literacy skills, engage in life-long learning and increase their confidence to get involved in the community.

"We have 16 coordinators delivering services in 77 communities," said Desneiges Profili, CBAL Regional Program Manager, West Kootenay and Boundary. "Their work with children, adults, families and seniors to build reading, writing, numeracy, computer and workplace skills is in demand.  Fundraisers, such as our Reach-A-Reader campaign, help support communities to meet this increasing need."

CBAL is working hard to expand services to meet growing and changing needs in communities across the region.  In addition to regional funding received from Columbia Basin Trust, Selkirk College, College of the Rockies and the Province of British Columbia, local partnerships and fund raising campaigns are critical to developing more community-led programs targeting local needs.  The Reach-A-Reader campaign demonstrates this shared commitment.

"We partner with businesses, community organizations, libraries, schools and colleges to help meet demand for our services," said Betty Knight, Regional Program Manager, East Kootenay. "Getting the communities involved in supporting us through the partnership with Black Press and the Reach-A-Reader campaign takes our message to the heart of the communities we serve." 

Over the last 10 years, CBAL has delivered an average of 230 programs to 7000 participants each year.  Positive feedback, living examples of the benefits and community response has been very supportive.  Participants can choose from a variety of programs such as: Love 2 Learn, Young Parents Education Program, Cyber Seniors and English as a Second Language. 

You can make a difference in your local community.  Participate in the Reach-A-Reader campaign by purchasing a paper on (October 10th), volunteering to sell papers, or simply spreading the word as a campaign champion. 

To get involved, contact your local paper name or Community Literacy Coordinator  

Other Reach-A-Reader Articles:
Nelson Star
Castlegar News Post Event 
Creston Valley Advance 
Black Press Newspapers
The Free Press - Fernie, Elk Valley



CBT renews partnership with CBAL with $1.32 million commitment

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CBT renewed its partnership with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) with $1.32 million over the next three years. 

CBT Board member Am Naqvi congratulated CBAL and the literacy coordinators and community volunteers for their commitment and positive impact in advancing literacy development in the Columbia Basin. The announcement was made during International Adult Learner's Week at a CBAL workshop in Nelson on March 30, 2012. 

In photo left to right: Am Naqvi, CBT Board member; Ali Wassing, CBAL Executive Director; Christy Louise Luke, CBAL Board member; Wendy Tagami, CBAL Board member.

Download full media release.  Link below.



cbalrenewal.doc
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Connecting to the world through computers

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From the Arrow Lake News
March 25, 2012
Marilyn Boxwell, Arrow Lake News, tells a personal story about her first introduction to computers - to how the Nakusp Computer Access Centre's CBAL designed computer, technology and Internet workshops for seniors 'opened a window to a wealth of information'. These courses are available to download on our site in the Resources section.
Read full story

Literacy centre finds new home at City Hall

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From Nelson Post
February 12, 2012

A unique partnership between the province, city and a non-profit has given a displaced literacy program a new home in Nelson’s city hall.
Read full story


Reading is fun for whole family

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From Arrow Lake News
January 27, 2012

Did you know parents reading with their children just 15 minutes a day can improve a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can help a parent improve their skills as well?
January 27 is Family Literacy Day and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is celebrating the families reading together!
Read full story

Helping adults improve literacy skills

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From news.gov.bc.ca
January 10, 2012

Margaret Sutherland, regional program manager, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy “The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy is very grateful for CALP funding. It allows us to support literacy and lifelong learning for adults and families in 16 communities and surrounding areas in the Columbia Basin.”
Read full story

Literary generosity to benefit kids this season
CBAL seeks donations for annual "Book Under Every Tree" program

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From the Townsman
November 29, 2011
It's that time of year when we try to help ensure every one in the community is well nourished with food during the festive season.
Last year, a partnership of community groups also set out to provide nourishment for the mind, spirit and imagination, and are setting out to do the same this year.

Read full story.


Fundraiser for literacy raises more than $2,200

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From the Kootenay Advertiser
October 10, 2011

Jason Wheeldon of Royal Lepage, East Kootenay Realty, who sported a mullet from his carrier days in the 80’s for the occasion, was out raising money for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy. 

Read full story.

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy gets seniors online

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From the Trail Times
September 28, 2011

Just because the Internet has changed the way some people communicate nowadays, there are still those who haven’t quite ventured online and learned to navigate in cyber space.
Read full story.

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