Family Literacy Day Celebration

   –  Sat. Jan. 23, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at the Creston Public Library, join us for a fun packed morning of music by Elena Yeung and Carl Sommerfeld featuring some of Elena’s newest original children’s songs, and keen competition for prizes in our “Read the Tongue-twisters” contest. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be served as well as many fun activities.

Books for Babies

   –  In partnership with the Creston Public Library and the Creston Public Health Nurses (Interior Health), informative book bags and a new book are distributed to parents with newborn babies.

Community Bookshare

     –  Community Bookshare is a way for adults and families in Creston to enjoy books without due dates or cost. You can take books from book share shelves located at the various drop off points in town, keep them as long as you like then bring them back, or bring in books for others to take. Bookshare locations are: Canyon Lister School, Creston Laundromat, Creston Education Centre, The College of the Rockies, Lower Kootenay Band Hall.

One-to-One Volunteer Tutoring Program

     –  A school based program that uses volunteers from the community to provide one-to-one reading tutoring to children who need extra practice and help to develop their reading skills. Children in the program read with a volunteer 4 times a week for ½ hour. This program happens in two Creston schools, Canyon-Lister and Erickson. To volunteer call the schools.

Youth Programs :

Every year we try to run a different innovative program for youth. In past we have had Youth Theater and Video Making. This year a Spoken Word event or Graphic Novels are ideas we have been considering. Watch for ads or call 250-428-2664 for more info.

Adult Programs :

Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring

     –  Volunteer tutors are matched with learners to help adults improve their literacy skills in reading, writing, filling in forms, math, spelling, computers skills, etc.

'Settling In' English as a Second Language Program

     –  Individuals seeking to improve their English Language development, both spoken and written, and learn more about Canadian society, are provided with one-on-one tutor and group-based instruction. Classes are held daytime Tues. and Wed, 12:30 – 3:30 pm and new evening class, Tues. and Thurs. 6:30 pm to 8:30 PM, both at the College of the Rockies.

Computers For People

     –  Surplus computers are revamped and given to families and adults who cannot afford one. If you have a computer to donate or are in need of one, please call CBAL Creston.

Adult Computer Classes in Rural Areas

     –  Thanks to a recent generous donation of a portable computer lab form KES, we will now more easily be able to deliver these beginner and intermediate classes to isolated communities like Boswell, Wynndel, Yahk and Riondel. Watch for announcements or call Linda, at 250-428-2664, if interested.

East Shore Co-Learning Project

     –  In the development stages, this project will bring adults of the East Shore area together to share their skills and learn from one another, on a credit system. For more information call Lavern Booth at 250-227-9552. Three events are scheduled for Friday evenings in Jan., 6:00 – 9:00 pm, at the CB school multipurpose room: Community constellation Process Jan. 15, Laughter Yoga Jan. 22 and a community discussion/planning session on the community skills and Services Exchange we are trying to form on the East shore.

A Book Under Every Tree

     –  Creston Community Literacy collects new and "gently-used" adult and children's books in boxes placed throughout the community, for distribution in Creston's Christmas Hamper Program. This year we collected about 350 books that went into the Christmas Hampers.! Thanks, Creston!