Valley Connections, Invermere

  –  The Family Resource Centre (FRC) and CBAL, Windermere Valley are partners in this community facility that provides a meeting and program space for a variety of community groups and programs. These include parent and child family literacy and parent support programs, family tutoring and ESL classes. The FRC holds the lease for the space and provides day to day management of it. CBAL, WV contributes a percentage of the annual operating expenses. Some operating expenses are recovered through rental fees from other groups.

Headwaters, Canal Flats

  – CBAL, Windermere Valley and the FRC are partners in this community facility that provides a meeting and program space for a variety of community groups and programs and a community reading library. These include parent and child family literacy and parent support programs, adult tutoring and computer classes and Open Access drop-in support. WVL holds the lease for the space and provides the day to day management of it. The FRC contributes a percentage of the annual operating expenses.

Headwaters Community Library

  – This CBAL, WV project is located at Headwaters. The library is operated by community volunteers.

Seniors Computers

  – is a partnership between CBAL, Windermere Valley and the Invermere Seniors Centre in Invermere. Another class is located at Headwaters in Canal Flats. Volunteer tutors also offer assistance at the Seniors Centre to seniors who would like to learn about computers or increase their skills.

Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring

  – Tutors meet one on one with adults needing help improving literacy skills or their knowledge of the English language and Canadian society.

One to One Children's Reading Program

  – Community volunteers are trained to read with children in schools. Children in the program read with a volunteer 4 times a week for half an hour in fall and winter sessions of eight to twelve weeks. This program takes place in five elementary and middle schools located in Canal Flats, Invermere, Edgewater and Windermere. The program is delivered in partnership with schools and Parent Advisory Councils.

A Book Under Every Tree

  – Books are gathered by donation during November and early December for distribution to families at Christmas time. Supported by the Rotary Club of Invermere.

Books for Babies

  – A book bag is given to every family with a new baby containing books suitable for reading to babies, information about the importance of reading, singing and rhyming with very young children, and community information regarding programs and services of interest to parents of young children. This program is delivered in partnership with the Invermere Public Library and the Public Health Nurses

Books for Toddlers

  – A book bag is given to every family with a12 month old child at their immunization meeting at the Public Health Unit. The bag contains a book suitable for reading to a toddler, literacy activities relating to the book and community information about program and services of interest to parents. This program is delivered in partnership with Public Health Nurses.

Guys Read

  – A program for boys in grades 4-7. Guys Read offers boys the opportunity to read books that interest them and talk with each other about what they are reading. The program is designed to encourage reluctant readers to enjoy books and reading. Volunteer community mentors also attend each program.

Making Connections

  – For parents with children in Kindergarten to Gr. 6. A 10 week session where parents explore the ways that they can support their child’s literacy development and school success. The program will be offered beginning in January 2010 from 5:30-7:30 pm at EMP school and then move to the other elementary schools throughout the Windermere Zone. This program is supported by School District 6 and elementary schools.

Growing Together Program Series

  – This series of family literacy and parenting programs for parents and children under 6 is collaboratively developed and delivered by CBAL, Windermere Valley, School District 6 and StrongStart, and the Community Action Program for Children. Growing Together programs are offered two to three days each week between September and June in Edgewater, Invermere, Windermere, and Canal Flats.

The programs include:

StrongStart Early Learning Centres

  – A Ministry of Education funded program that is managed by CBAL on behalf of School District 6. Families play and interact together in a supportive and educational environment.Located in four elementary schools in the Windermere Zone of SD6, Developmental 'learn through play' early literacy and learning programs are offered each day. The centres can be found at Edgewater Elementary, Eileen Madson Primary (Invermere), Windermere Elementary, and Martin Morigeau Elementary (Canal Flats).